All Chapters of Falling For My Father's Best Friend : Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

Did someone say Christmas Eve evening?!The evening settled over the Rossi mansion like a heavy velvet curtain, suffocating and oppressive. Servants moved silently through the grand living room, their footsteps muffled by the thick Persian rugs, placing trays of crystal glasses filled with ruby-red wine and delicate silver platters piled high with warm scones on every available surface. Frankly they look too bored to be there but get paid enough.The scent of buttery pastry and spiced wine filled the air, a cloying aroma that did nothing to ease the tension coiling in my stomach, twisting tighter with each passing moment.Mrs. Rossi stood near the grand fireplace, the flames casting flickering shadows across her face, a crystal glass clutched in her hand like a weapon.Ever since she told me about the ring, I get to notice it each time she moved her hand. God! It was making me restless.She looked every inch the queen of her domain, radiating an aura of power and control that made my

**MATEO'S POV**The painting was still in Isabella's hands.I stood behind her, looking over her shoulder at the detailed watercolor. Isabella in a flowing white wedding dress, me in a sharp black suit, both of us smiling like the rest of the world didn't exist. Lucian had captured something tender and hopeful in our faces that made my chest feel too tight.My son had painted this.He was telling me - in his own quiet, broken way - that he wanted Isabella to be his mother. For real.I couldn't help the swell of pride that hit me. After everything he'd been through, the anger, the cruelty, the months of therapy... he was trying. He was reaching out. I knew there was still more he wasn't saying, more pain he was carrying, but I wouldn't rush him. Not now."It's incredible, Lucian," I said, voice rough with emotion. "When did you learn to draw like this?"Lucian shrugged, cheeks turning pink as he stared at the floor. "It's part of therapy. Helps me calm down when my head gets too loud."

Dinner had dragged on longer than I wanted. The long table, the crystal, my mother's forced smiles, Valentina's lingering glances from across the room-none of it mattered the second Isabella's hand brushed my thigh under the table. One look from her and the entire evening became background noise. I stood first, chair scraping softly against the marble. "Isabella's room is still being turned over," I told the staff without waiting for permission. "She'll stay with me tonight." No one argued. Not tonight. Not with the way I was already guiding her out of the dining room, my palm firm at the small of her back. The hallway to my old bedroom felt endless. Her heels clicked beside my dress shoes, and every step made the ache in my cock worse. She was five weeks pregnant with my child, glowing, soft, and so fucking mine it hurt. I wanted to be gentle tonight. I needed to be. But the way she kept glancing up at me, lips parted, cheeks already flushed... she wasn't going to let me stay gent

**ISABELLA'S POV**I woke up slowly, my body heavy like it had been wrapped in wet cement. The silk sheets smelled like Mateo-dark musk, leather, and that faint hint of cedar from his cologne."Good morning, pookie" My hand instinctively went to my stomach. Seven weeks. Still so early, but the exhaustion was already real. My breasts felt tender, and a dull headache pulsed behind my eyes.Pregnancy doesn't care that it's Christmas vacation, I thought groggily. It just wants me horizontal.Still, I smiled. Today I was going to have fun. No fighting with Mateo's mother, no Valentina drama, no icy silences. Just me, Mateo, and Lucian-if I could drag them both into it.I showered quickly, letting the hot water chase away some of the tiredness. I dressed simple: soft cream sweater, high-waisted jeans that didn't press on my belly yet, and fuzzy socks. Nothing fancy. Just comfortable.When I stepped out of Mateo's room, the mansion hallway stretched endlessly in both directions. Crystal cha

Not a single full eye contact. Not a single "I love you" without him avoiding my gaze.Four days had passed since we returned from the Rossi's family mansion, and everything felt... normal on the surface. Except Mateo. He was barely home. Always in his study, always on calls, always disappearing with Rafiq or his father. When he did come to bed, it was late, and he held me like he was scared I'd vanish. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones, but every time I asked, he kissed my forehead and said, "Just work, baby. Nothing you need to worry about."I hated that answer.With the holidays still going, Lucian was home from school. He spent most of his time painting or playing video games, but he always found his way to me. That part felt good. Safe.I tried to keep myself busy. I ate way too much-Elena kept making all my favorite foods. I spent hours in the mansion's private gym, toying with machines I had no idea how to operate. I'd sit on the leg press, pretend to adjust t