Page 69 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“Then he’d be out of a job. Your dad left, all right? He needs to look after himself. We can’t ruin his life. That would be cruel. She put the meat down. “Go turn over your brother.”

I stomp out of the kitchen and march to Jacob’s cot in the small bedroom, kicking the wood back into place that kept the door closed, and trip.

Falling to my knees, I steady myself.

My hand brushes against something smooth under the bed.

I look and curse under my breath.

Judge Colby forgot a pair of his polished Louis Vuitton shoes…

I seethed, thinking back on the cheap clothes we always had to make do with while he always gave himself the best. He never cared about wrecking our lives.And how was he able to afford to fly himself and his wife to Rome?

The press didn’t investigate what really happened at the nightclub and only cared about sensational headlines.He’s grifting the public, and besides that, why should I believe social media when they lied about me?

My hand pressed down on the lid of the laptop.

You won’t win this time, Judge Colby.

Sleep slipped through my fingers, leaving me to watch the night’s darkness surrender to morning light. Our possible baby preoccupied every thought in my head. My heart eased with Rocco’s acceptance and forgiveness, but we both were eager to find out the results. Soon after, we left Milan and returned to Florence for our morning appointment with Dr. Vitale, scheduled for the next day. Instead of using a driver, Rocco drove us to the office himself, parking in a staff spot behind the building.

“Mr. and Mrs. Marini?” Dr. Vitale’s assistant met us at the back entrance, spoke in a low voice to confirm, then gestured for us to follow her up two flights of stairs to the second floor, where Dr. Vitale’s office was located. She stood waiting by the desk, her white lab coat and slacks were pristine, with a pair ofglasses balanced high on her long nose. “Hello, Adelina. Rocco.” Her smile opened like a flower broadening as she greeted us.

“Hello,” we both said almost at the same time.

“How are you feeling, Adelina?”

“Uhm, nervous…” I admitted, glancing at Rocco for reassurance, which he returned with an empathetic gaze and a gentle squeeze to my hand. “It’s been a whirlwind these last few days. Thank you for seeing us so early.”

“You’re very welcome,” she said. “And I won’t have you wait any longer. But first, do you want to do the exam alone, Adelina?”

I shook my head. “It’s fine if Rocco’s there.”

“Then, follow me, please.”

We followed her to an exam room, where the air was tinged with the medicinal scent of disinfectant. Dr. Vitale explained the next steps over the hum of the fluorescent lights hanging overhead. “You’ll go into the bathroom and take a pregnancy test,” she instructed. “Please leave it there for my assistant to collect it. After you’re done, please change into a gown, and I’ll check you over, and then we’ll discuss the results.”

Anxious energy buzzed beneath my skin, and Rocco’s hands soothed my arms, grounding me. “No matter what happens, it’s going to be okay. All right?”

I nodded.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, and for a moment, relief swept through me. We weren’t quite ourselves again, but Rocco had promised forgiveness and commitment, no matter what. Alone in the exam room, as I took the test and slipped into the gown, I searched my heart for what I truly wanted. Iwantedto be pregnant.

Each time I pictured our future, I didn’t see a loss; I saw a life I longed to build. Duty and responsibility to our families would always be my guide, but at the center was my own wishfor our child. Having a baby wouldn’t hold us back; it would fill our lives with new joy. Our child wouldn’t hinder my work as an illustrator but enrich it. I’d bring our child into the worlds I imagined, filling their life with my love and teaching them to dream. And I know, with utmost certainty, that Rocco would be a wonderful father, guiding with patience, confidence, and acceptance.Together, we could have everything.

Rocco gave me an infectious smile that had me smiling back on my return to the room. I went behind the curtain and sat down on the exam table. A few seconds later, Dr. Vitale came in and first took my vitals, taking my pulse and checking my heartbeat with her stethoscope. “It’s slightly elevated, but normal. It’s probably nerves.”

“Yes. I think so,” I murmured.

Her brows drew together. “Your temperature is also elevated. Do you feel okay?”

I shrugged. “Only stressed and a bit tired.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “We’ll keep an eye on it, especially if you’re pregnant. But for now, please get some rest. Maybe try some breathing exercises and yoga.”

I sighed. “Alright.”

“Good, now lie back, and I’ll do an examination.”