Page 75 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Rocco scoffed. “Yeah, I bet Mr. Sears will say he has the will with Luca’s most sound wishes.”

“Luca never said he wanted Mr. Sears to be chair,” Nico pointed out. “You have us on your side, son. Both of you.”

Rocco smiled and rubbed his thumb against the back of my hand. “Whatever it is, I’m ready for it and we’ll get through it as a family.”

Olivia smiled. “We will.”

Rocco hadn’t mentioned about my negative pregnancy results as we were already consumed with bad news. Olivia might have been harsh, but there was no doubt she loved Rocco and wanted the best for us.

“Adelina.”

We all turned to see Micola standing in the archway.

I grinned. “Yes, do you need some help?”

“Yes. The magic works better if the woman is working on the soup.”

Olivia rose with me. “I’m coming, too.”

Rocco leaned over and kissed my lips. I rubbed his shoulders. “Talk to him.”

We left the room, and I glimpsed Rocco deep in conversation with his father. After washing my hands, I returned to the kitchen, where Micola set me to rolling out dough and hanging pasta. There wasn’t much for me to do, but she let me taste her sauce. “Delicious.”

Olivia fussed. “It’s a bit too spicy.”

“You were born with these spices,” Micola said to her. “What do you know about taste? You don’t cook.”

Olivia scoffed. “Idocook.”

Micola rolled her eyes. “You don’t.” She turned to me. “She doesn’t cook, Adelina. She has a chef and eats at restaurants.”

Olivia smirked at her. “Itasteeverything.”

Micola clasped one of Olivia’s hands. “Soft as butter. Unused. No good cook has hands like these.”

I stifled a giggle.

Olivia huffed. “Not you, too, Adelina.”

Micola rolled her eyes and I lost it, laughing out loud. She then hugged Olivia and put her to work on cutting vegetables, and I took to stirring the soup again. Music started and we all started to sing along as we cooked and my heart lifted.

Olivia came over and squeezed my shoulder. “I’m happy to have you here with us.”

I was happy, too.Things can and will get better.

When we finished, I carried Rocco’s plate to the long table. He took it from my hands, and as I sat down, he leaned in and kissed me. Our eyes met, his gaze full of intensity and humility. I could feel his determination to set things right. And it was my wish that, should he ask me to try for a child in the future, I had only one answer.

Lunch flowed into dinner, and only when the sky darkened did everyone finally leave the house. Nico gave Olivia quick kisses and seductively fed her food. The magic was there, but like Dorothy seeing the wizard, the curtain was gone. What I could see for sure was that a lasting marriage would have many obstacles, but if the love was there and remained strong, good could arise from it. Although, if Rocco ever cheated on me…

Just the thought brought on a heated rush of anger and possessiveness. I’d lose my mind, and he would, too.

I laced up my sneakers and joined Zane outside for a jog, something I’d done many times over the summer. Rocco returned to his work, preparing for the looming family meeting with the trust and board. With Olivia in our corner, we had new hope, although victory was far from certain. We all knew Marini Trust wouldn’t easily surrender a chance at power. SomethingLuca was sure would make Rocco return to Marini Corporate full-time.Oh, Luca. Why couldn’t you have just let things be?

I could almost hear his voice in my mind.I can only be me, mi dulce, Adelina.Luca, ever stubborn, was always convinced he was right. I admired his unwavering confidence, but I longed for a compromise.

I followed my usual path, weaving through silent rows of grapes and olives, their branches dozing in winter’s embrace. Pausing for a sip of water, I noticed Zane dart ahead, vanishing between the vines. “Hey, Zane?” I called but received no reply. My heart thudded faster as I hurried after him, rounding a row and racing to the edge of the estate. My hand cupped my eyes instinctively, scanning what was visible in front of me.Where’d he go?

My skin prickled, and I tensed, peering out. Was there someone there?