Chapter 3

Luca cried without making a sound, and that broke me more than screaming would have.

Back at the cottage, he sat on my lap and held the toy Ferrari in both hands. "If Papa does not want me, does that mean only you love me?"

I pulled him close. "No, my love. Your grandfather Alessandro has waited years to meet you, and your grandmother Chiara has already prepared half a house for you. You are loved more than you know."

He blinked up at me. "Do we have to go far?"

"Across the ocean."

He looked at the car. "Can I have my birthday with Papa first? Just once. Then I will go with you."

I wanted to say no. I wanted to take him straight to the airport and never let Nico touch his heart again. But Luca was five, and hope is hard to kill in a child.

"All right," I said, kissing his forehead. "One birthday."

Two days later, Nico never came.

The cake sat on our small table until the candles sagged. Luca wore his best shirt, the one he had chosen because he thought Nico would like it, and tried to smile every time the clock moved.

I called Nico. "It is Luca's birthday. You promised him. Where are you?"

He hung up without answering.

Luca lowered his head. "Uncle Nico is busy, right? You can celebrate with me, Mommy." It was the first time he had called Nico uncle. He said it softly, like the word hurt his mouth.

Before I could call again, a message came from Nico's number.

[Bring Luca to the main house. The party is ready.]

Luca saw the screen before I could hide it. His whole face lit up. "Papa remembered! I knew he did. Let's go, Mommy."

I asked Nico to confirm. The reply came a minute later: [Yes. Bring him.]

So I let my son hope one last time.

The main house was glowing when we arrived. Black cars lined the drive, roses covered the entry hall, and guests in evening clothes moved through the rooms with champagne in hand. It was not a child's birthday party. It was a coronation.

Luca did not notice. He ran to Nico, who stood near a tiered cake beside Serena, and threw his arms around him. "Papa! Were you waiting for me to cut the cake?"

Nico went rigid. "Why are you here?"

The guests turned.

"Did that child call him Papa?"

"Is this the bastard?"

"At his own succession announcement?"

Nico grabbed Luca's small shoulders and pushed him back. "What did you just call me?"

Luca stumbled and fell. His face went white.

I rushed to him, but Serena blocked me with a smile. "Valentina, crashing Nico's ceremony with your child is desperate, even for you. I warned you before. Dragging a stray into this house will not make him a Varrone. Right, Nico?"

Nico looked at the staring guests, then nodded.

My patience snapped. I lifted Luca into my arms. "My son is not a stray. I gave birth to him, and his blood is worth more than every coward in this room."

Serena slapped me before I reached the door.

"You cheap little liar," she hissed. "We fed you, dressed you, let your brat sleep on our property, and this is how you repay us?"

Her men moved fast. They pinned my arms and shoved me to the floor.

I pulled Luca under me with one arm and pressed my other hand hard over my stomach.

Not there.

Anywhere but there.

But fists still found my ribs, my back, my face.

Through the blur of pain, I saw Nico hesitate. Serena clung to his arm, and he stayed where he was.

That was the end of him.

Luca broke free and grabbed Nico's trousers. Then my five-year-old son dropped to his knees. "Don Varrone, please. I was wrong. Please stop them from hurting my mommy."

Nico flinched as if the words had cut him.

"Stop!" he barked.

The men backed off. Luca helped me up with shaking hands, too small to hold my weight but trying anyway.

"Mommy," he said, wiping his tears with his sleeve, "let's go to Grandpa Alessandro now."

That night, I burned every photograph, dress, letter, and dried flower that tied me to Nico Varrone.

Then I packed one suitcase for Luca, one for myself, and nothing for regret.