I remember our fight yesterday. The agreement we both came to.
The reality of it all sits heavy in my chest. I push it all aside. For now.
Instead of calling for breakfast, I decide to give myself a little tour, so I leave the room. I’m restless and curious about my new environment. The halls are empty, and everything in the house is still.
Too still.
I’d been expecting guards and constant movement considering who Matteo is. And sure, I can feel eyes on me. I’m almost sure he’s got at least someone surveilling me. But they’re out of sight, quiet. No one stops me as I walk down the halls.
My footsteps echo softly as I move, taking turns without really thinking about where I’m going. Eventually, the space opens. Sunlight spills in and I step outside.
A pool stretches out in front of me, water still and glassy in the early morning light. Something tight coils in my chest at the sight of it. I’ve never much liked any huge body of water. It’s open and unpredictable.
The surface looks calm, and it’s clear. Deceiving. Everything about it is meant to lull you into a false sense of safety. Then, when you least expect it, the world tilts and you’re struggling to breathe.
My arms are folded, keeping a careful distance from the edge. My gaze is fixed on the water like it might move if I look away.
“Do you want to go in?”
The voice is small and soft and very, very unexpected. I turn around quickly with a jolt and then I freeze. There’s a little boy standing a few feet away, watching me with open curiosity.
Light brown curls. Barefoot. He looks to be about four or five years old in Spiderman pjs, and he’s probably the cutest kid I’ve ever seen in my life.
I blink once as he approaches.
“Hi,” I say softly. “Who are you?”
“Leonardo Jameson Vitale,” he replies with his chest puffed out adorably. “And you’re Lindsay Beaumont. My daddy’s told me all about you.”
My heart stops for a minute. I already know the answer to the next question that falls from my lips. But I have to ask it anyway.
“Who’s your daddy?”
He smiles like it’s a dumb question, “Matteo Vitale.”
“I see.” I nod numbly.
Matteo has a son. I want to feel anger and annoyance. I can’t believe he never told me. I never would have guessed. But then I think about why I should feel upset in the first place.
Matteo has always been a puzzle I’ve tried to figure out. This is a big piece of his life. But he was never obligated to tell me about it.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Leonardo,” I say gently to the little boy, crouching down so we’re at eye level. “Where’s your dad now?”
“He already left. He told me he has a lot of work to do. And that I have to take care of our guest,” he informs me.
My lips tilt up in a smile and I feel all the annoyance melt away. Upon closer look, it’s pretty clear that he’s Matteo’s kid. He has his eyes and his smile.
“We can go for a swim if you want,” Leo tells me. “My nanny doesn’t let me swim in the mornings because it’ll be too cold. But I can tell her you want to.”
I shake my head. “Your nanny’s right, Leo. It is too cold. And even if it wasn’t, I don’t know how to swim, and this pool looks deep.”
His eyes widen. “Why?”
“Because it scares me,” I answer honestly.
“I was scared too, when I was learning how to swim,” he says.
“And how did you get over it?”
