ROSALINDA.“So, has Papà said anything about you and Oliver now that he knows that he is a Petrov?“ I asked Sofia.We were in the kitchen, eating pancakes, bacon, and sausages for breakfast.“He hasn’t said anything.” She sighed. “Do you think I should talk to him about it?”“You should.” I told her. “I’m sure he won’t object to your union anymore.”She nodded, pouting. “Hopefully. Because I miss him so much and I want to spend more time with him.”“Ouuu….lover girl.” I teased, chuckling softly.“You can’t blame me.” She said, blushing as she gently rubbed her tummy. “My babies need their father.”I settled my gaze on her belly, and a small smile crept up my lips at her little baby bump. It was so cute.“It’s starting to protrude.” I remarked, and she nodded.“What about you?” She suddenly asked. “What’s up with you and Antonio? Have any of you talked to Papà about both of you wanting to be together?”My brow creased. “I thought you hated him?”“Of course, I do!” She sighed, rolling h
ROSALINDA.My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, and I quickly disentangled myself from Antonio’s arms.“What is happening here?“ Papà asked again, his frown deepening as he approached us.“Uhm…” I nervously scratched the back of my neck. I was lost for words to say.“Nothing really.” Antonio said, sighing.“No. You can’t tell me nothing. Your hands were on her, looking at her like… that. What’s going on?“ Papà persisted, darting his gaze between the both of us.“Is that the document?” Antonio changed the subject as he reached for the file in Papà’s hand.He skimmed through the document before returning his gaze to Papà. “Thank you. I’ll take my leave now. Bye.”“Antonio.” Papà called, his brows furrowing.“Really, it’s nothing.” Antonio said.Before Papà could say anything more, he started walking towards the exit.I promptly followed Antonio, but Papà called me back.“Rosalinda.” He said firmly.I turned to look at him. “Yes, Papà?”He waited for Antonio to leave the office bef
ROSALINDA.I was so stupid. So fucking stupid. Knowing the dangerous world that surrounded me, I went ahead and took Carlo out alone. Without guards.Different thoughts were colliding in my head, and I was going crazy. I couldn’t think straight; my heart was burning fiercely, and my whole body was shaking. I was dishevelled and confused, not knowing what to do.I took out my phone to call 911, but I found myself dialing Antonio’s number instead.“Antonio.” I said breathlessly into the phone when he picked up, my chest heaving up and down.“What happened?” He quickly asked, worried.“I came... hospital... God, Carlo." I cried, unable to form a coherent sentence.“Rosalinda. I want you to take a deep breath and breathe out.” He told me, and I did just that.“Again.” He said, and I repeated it.“Now, tell me where you are; I’m coming there right away.” He said with urgency. He didn’t even bother to ask what happened anymore.I told him where I was, and he ended the call immediately.I lu
ROSALINDA.Lorenzo arrived shortly after he was summoned and was led to the living room, where Papà, Mama, Marco, Sofia, Giovanni, and I were all waiting impatiently for him. “Don Roberto.” He grinned as he approached Papà. He extended his hand for a handshake, which Papà took reluctantly. He didn’t even bother to acknowledge the rest of us sitting in the living room. “How’s your health? How do you feel now?” He asked Papà.Papà didn’t answer that question. It was obvious that he wasn’t interested in a chitchat. Instead, he gestured at the sofa that was opposite him. “Have a seat.”I never knew Papà cared so much about his grandson until today. The rage burning beneath his eyes was so intense. Lorenzo drew his brows together. “I thought you wanted my advice on business matters." He darted his gaze at us. “Why would we have it here?”“Seat, please.” Papà said again, not bothering to explain anything to him. “Okay.” Lorenzo said, exhaling sharply before going to sit. “So, why did
ANTONIO.“Sei Morto!” I growled, my chest threatening to explode with the multitude of rage that washed over me the second I sighted the bastard. Lorenzo narrowed his eyes as he observed my blood-stained shirt. “What did you do?”“Why don’t you tell me why you kidnapped Carlo?” I growled. “Where is Carlo? Did you find him?” Roberto asked. Rosalinda walked in with Carlo in her arms, so I didn’t need to answer his question. He sighed in relief before turning to look at Lorenzo. “I thought you denied kidnapping him.”“Oh, well.” Lorenzo lifted his shoulders in a shrug, grinning. “Busted, right?”“Why?“ Roberto asked, baffled. “Did you expect me to marry your daughter, knowing she had a child?” He asked, laughing hysterically. He was definitely a mental case. “But you said you were okay with it, Lorenzo! What did you plan to do with my grandson?“ Roberto asked, narrowing his eyes. “I was never okay with it. I didn’t want a woman who would have an emotional attachment to someone who
ROSALINDA. Although I was immensely grateful to Antonio for saving Carlo, I hated that he claimed me as his substitute bride. I was just a replacement pawn in their business agreement, and I so much hated that. I was livid and didn’t utter a word to him on our way to his mansion, even though he tried talking to me a few times. I had a lot of things to say to him, but I just couldn’t put them out in words. “Bath him and feed him. Take his things to one of the guest rooms; he’ll stay there pending when his room gets set up. While Rosalinda’s things would go to my room.” He instructed his maids once we got out of the car. He just decided that I would stay in his room without asking me first. Fine. I walked inside the main building, and I could feel him walking behind me, but I didn’t bother to look back. I didn’t need to be given directions to his room; I had been there before and knew my way. The moment I walked inside his room, he slipped right behind me and shut the
ROSALINDA. “Please, please, please. I want to play more games.” I heard Carlo’s distant voice. It felt like I was dreaming.“No.” Antonio said, and the next thing I heard was Carlo’s giggles. It seemed like Antonio had tickled him. “You’ve played enough for this morning.” Antonio told him. It was then that I realised that it wasn’t a dream because the voice sounded clearer now.Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Antonio and my son on the sofa that was at one end of the room, looking bright and happy, with Antonio tickling Carlo while he giggled.“Mommy!” Carlo was the first to notice that I was awake. A lazy smile touched my lips as I stared at him. He quickly disentangled himself from Antonio’s arms and pranced towards me with his tiny legs. He found it difficult to climb up the bed, but he was determined to, and he succeeded. “Good morning, handsome.” I said with a smile as I watched him crawl towards me. “Good morning, mommy!” He was so vibrant and seemed exceptionally happy t
ANTONIOI was sick and tired of hearing that phrase over and over again. Carlo was my son, my blood and flesh, and it was my duty as his father to save him. I didn’t need to be thanked for merely performing my duties. It was high time Rosalinda knew about the secret I had been hiding all this time. I didn’t know how to put it out to her; I don’t even know how she would take it. But she deserved to know the truth, and I needed to find a way to give it to her.When Carlo called me ‘daddy’ earlier, the warmth that filled my heart was immeasurable. I wanted to be able to tell him that I was really his daddy, and I planned to do that soon. I had a lot of work to do, so I went to my office to get it done. But my work was cut short as soon as I started with a call from an unknown number. “Who is this?“ I said into the phone when I picked up. “Figlio di puttana!” The person on the other end of the phone groaned, and I instantly knew who he was. I had been waiting for his call. Sergio. Lo