“I don’t want your help. I can make it on my own.”
“I know you can, but you have me now.”
“And you’re amazing.” I wrap my hands around his neck to place a kiss on his cheek.
There’s a knock on the door, and I quickly throw on my dress before going to see who it is. My mother stands on the other side with a frown on her face. She’s taken up an unofficial position as Mila’s nanny and rarely leaves her side unless she’s with one of us.
“She’s asking for her papa,” my mom informs me.
I sigh softly, looking at the little traitor. I’ve never felt more betrayed than when Mila decided a couple of weeks ago that her first word was going to be Papa. She knew me for way longer.
Still, I take her from my mother’s arms with a grateful smile.
“You should go get ready for the dinner, mama,” I state.
“I’ll be there,” she says softly and I can see in her eyes all the things left unsaid.
I know she’s proud of the family I’ve managed to build. And she’s glad I didn’t make the same mistakes she did. I found happiness.
And I was able to have it all.
With Mila in my arms, I walk towards the bed, bouncing her in my arms. Rafaelle emerges from the closet, wearing his pants but still shirtless.
“There’s my perfect little angel,” he exclaims.
“Papa,” she calls, stretching her arms towards him.
He takes her from me, cradling her to his chest. I pout, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
“It’s not fair.”
“Sorry, baby. You’ll get the next one,” Rafaelle winks.
The prospect of having another kid with him is exciting. He’s an amazing father and it’s hard not to feel warm when you watch him interact with Mila. I want to spend the rest of my life with Rafaelle and then some.
I know deep in my heart that fate put him in my path.
He was my dark knight, and he came into my life when I was most desperate for meaning. And in more than one way, he did exactly that.
“What are you thinking about, siren?” he asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“How much I love you,” I answer with a smile.
He leans down, pressing a soft kiss against my lips, “I love you so much more than you could ever imagine, Liliana. You’re mine. You and Mila, forever and always.”
EPILOGUE
LILIANA
Six Months Later
Iopen the hospital door to find my old friend lying there, looking much better than the last time I saw him.
"Hey, Sport." He watches me as I cross the room toward him.
"I thought he killed you."
Carlos exhales a short laugh. "He should have. I still don't know what the hell came over me."
