“And who’s the father?” Ignacio asks.
I don’t immediately answer, fighting the urge to wring my fingers together. This is the moment that’s going to determine what the dynamic is going to be with my new family.
“Rafaelle Vitale,” I say softly. “He’s the father.”
Another terse silence envelops the room. But I do glimpse some amusement in Santiago’s eyes.
“You’re pretty interesting, aren’t you, little sister?” he muses.
Ignacio’s voice is slightly chilled when he speaks, “You have a child with Rafaelle Vitale?”
“He doesn’t know about her,” I hurriedly say. “We met once, about a year and a half ago. And I got pregnant. I didn’t tell him and instead left the city to keep her a secret because I didn’t think I wanted to raise my daughter in his world.”
“Hmm.” Ignacio’s mouth twists. “You really are your mother’s daughter.”
I look down, the words landing harder than I want to admit. “She was scared,” I mutter. “And… so was I.”
“Smart choice,” Santiago says. “But you’re hiding the daughter of the Vitale family’s enforcer. When he finds out, I’m pretty sure he’ll kill you.”
“He seems to care for her, though,” Ignacio states, brown eyes piercing, seemingly seeing more than I’m comfortable with. “You weren’t at the meeting, Santiago. He fought hard to keep her.” He looks toward me, “What is it you would like me to do, Liliana?”
“I want to bring Mila here with me. I haven’t seen my daughter in weeks, and we’ve never been apart. I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“That’s not a problem. I’ll have her brought here tomorrow,” he says simply.
Relief has my knees nearly buckling. But then another thought strikes.
“My mother,” I start. “What are you going to do to her?”
Anger flashes in Ignacio’s expression for a second. But then I blink and it’s gone. He seems to compose himself fast, pretending away his true feelings.
“You can’t hurt her,” I say worriedly.
“I’m not going to,” he tells me. “Believe it or not but I’m anticipating seeing Marisol again.”
He must see the wariness in my expression because he chuckles lightly.
“You don’t know the full story, Liliana. When your mother ran away, she ran more from my late wife than me. We had our differences, but she believed you would be harmed because of my late wife’s jealousy. And while a part of me is angry that she kept you away from me for so long. I am glad that you grew up safe. She seems to have done a good job raising you.”
Oh.
My chest loosens as I look at the man standing in front of me in an entirely new light. Carlos was right. He does seemvery family-oriented. And surprisingly forgiving. I don’t know whether to trust him or be suspicious.
The dark look in Santiago’s eyes doesn’t escape my notice. But I choose to focus on Ignacio’s assurances instead.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“You are my daughter, Liliana. I would do anything for you,” he reaches for my shoulder, squeezing it gently.
“I’d like to go tomorrow. To pick up Mila and mama.”
“Of course. And don’t you worry about the Vitales, Liliana. I’ll make sure they can never hurt you again. You’re home now.”
The words should bring me relief. And yet my heart aches, the pain impossible to ignore.
Hours later, as I sit alone in my bedroom staring out at unfamiliar gardens beneath the moonlight, all I can think about are dark eyes.
The estate is silent. The bed is soft. The room is beautiful.
