“You kept my son from me for five years,” he spits, venom lacing every word.
His words feel like nails on a chalkboard. I don’t miss the bitterness in his tone and anger in his brown eyes.
“I kept him safe from our world,” I say firmly.
“Maybe I would’ve let you two stay in Italy to keep you safe. Did that idea even cross your mind?”
I shake my head. “No, you wouldn’t have.”
“Guess we’ll never know,” he bites out.
His sarcastic words hit my heart where they should.
“I told you I wanted to start a family with you.” An evil smirk plays on his lips. “You underestimated how far I’d go.”
My brows pinch together. “What does that mean?”
“Can I have cookies?” Madden asks.
Nico pulls him up into his arms. “Two cookies.” He strolls into the kitchen like he entertains four-year-olds every day.
He sits Madden in one chair and his bear in the chair beside him.
Nico washes his hands before removing the cookies from the package. He places them on a saucer and sits them in front of him.
Madden takes a bite of his cookie, smiling at his twin. Nico stares at him too, like he’s the greatest creation.
“We can talk in private,” I say.
He nods.
“I’ll grab his headphones.” I walk toward the living room.
“Angry bear, can I have some milk?” Madden asks.
I glance over my shoulder. “Don’t call him Angry Bear.”
“He’s big angry bear. And this is little angry bear,” Madden explains.
I shake my head. “He’s never done that before.”
“It’s fine.” Nico smiles as he pours Madden a glass of milk.
After setting up Madden’s tablet in front of him, I adjust the headphones on his ears.
Nico peeks at his son before joining me in the living room.
“I had a right to see my son being born. To be there when he took his first steps, like you were,” his voice booms throughout the house.
I sit on the sofa, running my hands down my ponytail. “I didn’t want children. Nico, I told you I didn’t. I almost put him up for adoption.”
The pain in his eyes shatters me.
“You almost gave our son up for adoption.” The words leave his mouth in a broken whisper, as though he can’t comprehend how I could ever consider giving away the child we created. The disbelief etched across his face cuts deeper than his anger ever could.
“Yes.” My voice barely rises above a whisper. “I would do anything to keep him safe. Bringing him here puts him in danger.”
Nico studies me for a long moment. “What changed your mind?”
