FAZER LOGINSTEFFANO“It’s c-cold,” Rebecca murmured weakly when I placed the damp washcloth on her forehead.After we got home, she had fallen asleep not long after eating a little and taking her medicine. I’d been planning to go somewhere after everything she told me earlier, but when I went to tell her I was leaving, I found her burning up with fever instead.I’d thought she would feel better, like she claimed she would.But she didn’t.Her fever only got worse, yet she still refused to go to the hospital.“Your temperature isn’t going down,” I told her gently, stopping her when she tried to remove the cloth from her forehead. “This will help cool you down.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Keep fighting me and I really will drag you back to the hospital.”She finally lowered her hand.A few moments later, her breathing deepened, a sign that she’d fallen asleep again.I adjusted the blanket over her before stepping outside onto the bedroom balcony.I lit a cigarette and took several long drags whil
“Is it delicious?” I asked Stephie softly.She nodded eagerly and even gave me a thumbs-up. “I could eat chicken forever as long as you’re the one cooking it, Mommy,” she said sweetly.“There’s literally nothing you don’t like,” Savvy teased his twin, making me shake my head.“So my cooking isn’t actually good, huh, Savvy?”He paused mid-bite with the marinated chicken breast I’d made and laughed. “Of course it’s good!”I laughed too and ruffled his hair affectionately. I watched the two of them happily eating while cartoons played on the television.I cleared my throat when it suddenly started itching, then touched my forehead to check if I had a fever.I’d been perfectly fine last night. I’d even stayed at the hospital again to watch over Stephie despite Steffano insisting that he stay instead—or that we hire a caregiver for her.But Stephie didn’t want to be left alone with a maid or a nurse, so in the end, I stayed.And just like the past few nights, I woke up from another nightma
“What the hell did you do to my wife?!” Steffano shouted the moment his eyes dropped to my blouse.A few of the buttons had come undone when Gary grabbed me earlier, exposing part of my bra.The look in Steffano’s eyes made it obvious he was seconds away from attacking the doctor if I hadn’t immediately grabbed his arm.“Don’t, Steffano. I’m okay,” I said quickly, shaking my head at him because I knew things would only get worse if he hurt Gary.He shut his eyes tightly and took a deep breath before removing his suit jacket, draping it over my shoulders.“Your wife?” Gary asked slowly. “May I ask what your wife’s name is, sir?”“What business is that of yours?” Steffano shot back coldly.Steffano wrapped an arm around me and faced Gary fully. “Who exactly are you to question my wife’s identity?”“I-I’m Olivia’s friend. Gary. I was one of the medical aides who took care of her in Maryland while I worked there. I wouldn’t be acting like this if your wife had simply told me she wasn’t my
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” I asked Stephie the moment she was transferred from the ICU to a VIP room."I'm feeling b-better now, Mommy."I let out a relieved breath at Stephie’s answer and gently brushed my fingers through her hair. After thanking the nurses and doctors who had transferred her to the VIP room from the ICU and checked on her condition, they finally left the room.“What about you, Mommy? Are you okay?”I smiled and sat beside her bed. “Of course I am. You’re recovering so well.”“But you keep yawning,” she pointed out softly. “Are you sleepy?”“A little,” I admitted with a laugh. “I got excited when they told me you were finally being moved out of the ICU. That means you’re getting stronger.”“Where’s Dad and Savvy?”“Oh, Savvy was still asleep when I left this morning. Your daddy said he’ll bring him here around lunchtime. Are you excited to see him?”I hadn’t woken Savvy up earlier and had left him with one of the house staff instead, reminding them to call me immedi
GERALDINEWhy did they look so alike?Who was that woman?And if she wasn’t Rebecca… then was it possible she was—I jumped when my phone suddenly rang.I cursed under my breath the moment I saw the caller ID. I’d been ignoring his calls for weeks, but this time, I answered.“Baby, come on, why haven’t you been answering me?”“Don’t ‘baby’ me,” I snapped. “I know exactly why you’re calling, Dino. You need money again.”“Oh, wow. Your life gets better and suddenly your attitude changes too.”I pulled a cigarette from my pack and placed it between my lips, only to stop when I realized I was still inside the hospital restroom.Annoyed, I threw it into the sink and dragged a hand through my hair.“You’ve already gotten enough from me,” I continued bitterly. “How many times have I given you money? And you never pay me back.”“It’s just ten grand, Gie. Come on. I got stuck here in Chicago. I can’t get back and I’ve got gigs lined up.”I clenched my jaw.The man had done nothing for years ex
“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep with us tonight?” I asked, gently brushing my fingers through Savvy’s hair while he got ready for bed.“I’ll pass tonight,” he replied, making me laugh softly. “Stephie will get mad if she finds out I had you and Dad all to myself.”I leaned down and kissed his forehead. “If you need Mommy for anything, just come to our room, okay?”“Yes, I will.”“Goodnight, Savvy.”“Goodnight, Mommy,” he murmured, already closing his eyes.I left the bedside lamp on before quietly stepping out of his room.I nearly jumped in surprise when I turned around and saw Steffano leaning against the doorway, watching Savvy and me. Judging by the look on his face, he’d probably been standing there for a while.“Why are you trying to scare me?”He smirked. “Why are you so easy to scare?”I rolled my eyes and nudged him out of Savvy’s room. He immediately caught my hand and lifted it to his lips.“Thank you.”I sighed. “What are you thanking me for this time, Steffano?”“Fo
“What’s going on? Why does someone look so grumpy this morning?” I said as soon as I entered Stephie's room.Her hair was a mess, and she kept avoiding the maid from brushing it.“Mommy! You’re here!” Stephie rushed toward me and snatched the brush from the maid’s hand. “Kitty said she could do a F
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice raspy as I blinked my eyes open to find Steffano sitting beside me.I swallowed hard as a smirk played on his lips. My skin prickled with goosebumps when he reached out, his hand trailing softly against my cheek.“Have I told you how beautiful you are, R
“Mommy, what did Doc Mitch say? Am I going to get better?” Stephie asked, hugging me as the car pulled away from the hospital.“Yes, sweetheart. Soon. You just have to keep taking your medicine, okay?” I replied gently.I turned toward the window and quickly wiped my eyes as I adjusted my sunglasse
“You know, Mommy?” Stephie said while I was fixing her hair. “I met a lady at the hospital during one of my check-ups. She looked just like you. I even had an attack because I was so sad when she told me she wasn’t my mommy. But that wasn’t really you, right?”My hands paused for a second before I







