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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CARMELLA
I swipe my fingertips under my eyes, staring at the now closed door. I bob Andrea as he starts to squirm in my hold.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been standing there but a knock on the door makes me jump. I open it, knowing the only people it could be are Al’s parents.
Brilliant! Just what I need.
“Good to see you,bambina,” Papa greets as he steps into the foyer and kisses my forehead.
I quickly turn to check my face in the mirror.
Great, I look like shit.
“How are you and my grandson?” Rafael grins as he ruffles Andrea’s chocolate curls.
“You’ve all arrived at once.” I summon up a smile as I step back and follow Papa into the kitchen as both my momma and Al’s filter in behind me.
“Well, hand him over,cara,” Momma coos.
I walk over but keep my head down as I pass Andrea to her. She frowns at me while shifting Andrea onto her shoulder then tilts her head to the side studying my posture.
Great! Now is not the time for her to go all momma bear on me.
“I’ll just make the drinks,” I offer as I spin around to deal with the task.
Papa and Rafael have made themselves comfortable at the island while Adelina and Momma take a seat on the couch.
“Where’s my son, then?” Rafael questions as he looks to the hallway. “I’ve never known Alessandro to sleep in. Is my grandson keeping him up?”
Keeping him up? I’m the one feeding the greedy little monster all night long.
“No, he and Leo are… um… they’ve been called away.” I wave my hand to make it seem like I don’t know.
I walk into the lounge and place everyone’s drinks on the coffee table.
Momma’s still staring at me as I look up, and she holds my gaze as I take a seat. She leans over and hands Andrea to Adelina.
“Cara,what’s wrong?” Momma gets up and kneels in front of me.
“Bambina?” Papa asks on red alert.
Adelina and Rafael look between the three of us.
The pressure of all their gazes weighs heavily on my shoulders.
I sniff as I try really hard not to crumble as I lay out the past weeks and months of our life.
I feel like I’m betraying Al by telling them, but they need to know. It’s not like they won’t find out anyway. I just wish Alessandro was with me whilst I’m telling them.
“He dishonors you!” Papa booms as he jumps up.
“No, Papa, it’s just a big mess.” I shake my head.
How can I defend Al’s actions when they have hurt me so much?
He should be the one to tell our parents what has happened, not me on my own. He fucked up. This should be on him.
