Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Mafia's Nanny : Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

72Emilia’s POV The kitchen was filled with the smell of fresh coffee and eggs sizzling on the stove. I stood by the counter, pouring myself a cup of coffee, and watched Alaric out of the corner of my eye. He was sitting at the table with Francesca, who was chattering away happily about the park yesterday. His face was relaxed, a slight smile playing on his lips as he nodded along, responding in that soft, gentle tone he only ever used with her.I tried not to stare, but it was hard not to notice the difference in him. There was something lighter about Alaric this morning, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. It was subtle, but I could see it in the way he sat back in his chair, his posture less rigid. The dark cloud that usually hovered over him seemed to have lifted, at least for the moment. It made him look… younger, almost.I took a sip of my coffee, leaning against the counter as I watched them. It was strange to see him smiling. Not the small, tight-lipped smirk I’

74Emilia’s POV I stared at Alaric’s text for the millionth time since I received it yesterday, my heart pounding hard in my chest as tears filled my eyes.“Yeah, that’d be good. Thanks.” He had replied, but that wasn’t what made me want to cry. But it was the realization that I made this morning that made my eyes sting. I was in love with him.I didn’t know when it happened. Maybe it was gradual, like water eroding rock, wearing down my defenses bit by bit until I was exposed and vulnerable. Or maybe it was sudden—like the moment you realize you’re standing on the edge of a cliff and the ground beneath you is crumbling. I can’t pinpoint the exact second, but somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Alaric.The realization hit me like a punch to the gut as I sat alone in the kitchen. The house was usually quiet. All the workers were probably taking a break. I was nuring a cup of coffee, staring out of the window at the garden but not really seeing it. My mind was stuck replying e

76Emilia’s POV I found myself standing in front of Matteo’s door this morning, clutching a bag of pastries like it was my lifeline. It’s wasn’t particularly because I missed him that I was here today. I did miss him, but that wasn’t the exact reason. It was that I felt like I was drowning and my mind was an undeniable mess of my emotions.I knocked the door once, waiting for him to come and open the door. Matteo opened the door almost immediately, his face lighting up in a way that only reminded me how much I missed him. “Emmy!” he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug before I could even step inside.“Hey, Teo,” I murmured into his shoulder, and for a moment, I let myself relax into the comfort of my brother’s embrace. I felt like my mind was finally going calm after all this whole just because I was in his presence.He pulled back, holding me at arm’s length to give me one of his patented Matteo once-overs. “You look tired,” he said, frowning. “What’s going on? And don’t tell me

78Emilia’s POVI got up from the bed, stretching slightly. I forced myself to get off the bed. My mind wouldn’t stop going to Francesca and it made me uneasy. I needed to check on her first to make sure she was fine before I did anything else.I wrapped my robe around my body, walking out of my room and rushing to her room. Pushing open the door to her room, I froze in the doorway. Francesca was lying in bed, her little frame curled under the covers, her face flushed a deep red. Sweat clung to her brow, and her breathing was shallow and uneven. My heart dropped.“Francesca?” I called softly, moving closer.She stirred but didn’t open her eyes. When I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead, a wave of heat radiated off her skin. She was burning up.“Francesca,” I said again, my voice shaking now as I gently shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes halfway, her usual bright brown gaze dull and glassy.“Mommy…” she croaked, her voice weak and scratchy.“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said

80Emilia’s POV I didn’t know why my mind kept going to Alaric, but it wouldn’t stop. I remembered how vulnerable he was in the hospital earlier today, and how he had kissed me without caring that anyone could have seen.I got up from my bed, sliding my feet into my flip flops and walking out my my room. I found myself in front of his office where I knew he was, probably going crazy at the fact that Francesca wasn’t under his roof. All I wanted was to comfort him.I walked into his office and closed the door behind me. Just as I expected, he was pacing the length of his office but he paused when he noticed me.“Hey,” I began, feeling awkward and stupid for coming here in the first place when he hadn’t called for me. What if he chased me out? That would only make me feel more like shit.He said nothing, but his face softened a bit as he watched me. I took a bold step, going closer to him and standing in front of him. “I know you’re going crazy about Francesca right now. But she’s goin