All Chapters of His Son Stopped Calling Him Papa: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

That autumn evening in 1936, Luca’s words stopped both of us outside the iron gates of the Moretti estate.For twenty-eight days, every time Don Moretti abandoned us for Bianca Bellini, I had asked Luca to use his father's title instead of calling him Papa.I told myself I was teaching us both to stop depending on a man who did not choose us, but Luca was six.To him, every forced "Don Moretti" was another small loss. He usually paused before saying it, his mouth working around the title as though it hurt. Today there had been no pause.He looked up at the father he had waited for again and again and said, "Don Moretti, you should go." Then he tugged at my hand."Mom, let's go inside. The dinner is about to start."His small hand pulled mine toward the iron gates of the Moretti estate.Tonight was the Moretti succession dinner, the formal gathering where the Don presented his chosen heir before every capo and elder.Matteo had arranged it after missing Luca’s Father’s Night at school,

Don Moretti lowered himself beside me and placed the strawberry tart within my reach.His voice softened into the old husbandly tone, the one he used when he still thought he knew how to soothe me."Serena, I know what you are thinking." He sighed."You think I have been too kind to Bianca. You think I have neglected you and Luca because of her."I said nothing. Matteo took my hand and pressed it against his chest, right over his heart. "But I swear to you, there has never been anything between Bianca and me." He looked sincere.Or maybe I had spent too many years wanting him to be."Bianca grew up under this family's protection," he continued."Her father died serving mine. She is alone with a child, surrounded by men who would gladly tear her apart if they saw weakness. I only pity her. That is all."His thumb brushed over my knuckles."Give me a little more time. I will settle Bianca and Tommy properly. I will make sure you and Luca are never wronged again."I stared at him in silen

I telephoned the railway office and moved our reservation to the three o'clock train that afternoon. There was no reason to pretend we still had another day.I made breakfast in the Moretti kitchen for the last time while Luca took the untouched strawberry tart from the icebox and dropped it into the bin.At ten, I unlocked my legal dispatch case and removed the marital settlement, custody terms, and consent papers Matteo had signed without reading.Under the agreement, Luca would live with me, and Matteo could request visits only if they did not disrupt our son's ordinary life. My signature line remained blank.Before I could sign, another messenger from Bianca delivered a formal photograph developed overnight in the estate darkroom.Matteo sat at the head of the Moretti table, Bianca stood beside him with one hand on his shoulder, and Tommy occupied the chair prepared for Luca. On the back, Bianca had written:The portrait is ready. Tommy and his father both love it. Don Moretti said

Matteo drove toward the family stables himself. The streets were crowded. Carriages, motorcars, delivery trucks, and streetcars blocked one another beneath the afternoon sun.The traffic moved like a river of iron that had forgotten where it was going. He kept one hand tight around the wheel. The other rested beside the horn.At the first telephone booth he passed, he stopped the car so sharply that the vehicle behind him nearly struck his bumper. He called the station office."Grand Central Terminal.""This is Don Moretti. Put me through to Donna Moretti."The clerk hesitated. "Donna Moretti is no longer here, sir." Matteo's grip tightened around the receiver. "What do you mean?" "The Boston train departed at three."For a moment, he could not speak. Then he looked at the clock above the booth. It was three minutes past the hour."You are mistaken.""I am afraid not, sir. The afternoon Boston service left from Platform Twelve." Matteo hung up. He told himself the clerk had confused th

The nurse sent both adults into the corridor while the physician worked on Tommy.Once the door closed, Bianca wiped her face and looked at Matteo without the helpless expression she had worn for years."Yes, I did it deliberately," she said. "I needed you to come.""You poisoned your own son because you wanted my attention.""What choice did I have?" Bianca snapped."I have a child and no fortune of my own. You came whenever I said I was frightened. You liked being needed, Matteo. Do not pretend I forced you to neglect your wife."Matteo's face lost what little color remained."You told me your husband deceived you. You said your family forced you to leave New York.""I left New York for an Englishman who promised me estates, servants, and money. When his fortune disappeared, so did I. By the time I returned, you were Don Moretti. I knew exactly what your name could give me.""You came back for my money.""For your money and your protection," Bianca said. "Serena helped too. Every tim