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Ignoring them, I cross the floor and gently lower Sabella onto the bed. Brad sits on the foot-end, playing with a toy truck. He stops and watches me curiously. A baby’s cry rises from a stroller that stands next to the window. Matilde hurries over and lifts a bundle of blue blankets into her arms. Celeste fusses over Ryan, trying to clean the blood off his face with a tissue.
When I straighten, they’re all looking at me, silent accusations burning in their eyes. Tears glimmer in Margaret’s.
“I’ll give you a moment before dinner,” I say to Sabella, cutting everyone else out as if they don’t exist. “But the doctor is coming to examine you.”
She sighs, but she doesn’t argue.
When I exit the room, Sophie stands in the hallway.
I close the door behind me, taking in her tear-streaked cheeks and sullen face. My pulse spikes in alarm. “What’s the matter, darling?”
Her dainty nostrils flare. She balls her little hands at her sides and says in a heated tone, “There’s a man downstairs who says our mommy and daddy are dead.”
“What?” I take a step toward her. “What man?”
She backtracks, hurling words at me. “You knew. He said you knew.”
I raise my palms. “Sophie, let me explain.”
“And now Sabella’s own family is here, and she doesn’t need us any longer,” she shouts before running off.
ChapterThirty-Four
Sabella
Istill can’t believe they’re here.
“May I please hold him?” I ask Mattie.
“Of course.”
She places the baby swaddled in blankets in my arms.
I can’t look at his face and not cry. Benjamin Jnr. looks too much like Dad. It could’ve been my baby I held in my arms, Angelo’s and mine, and I’ll never know who he would’ve looked like.
“It’s hurting her too much,” Mom says to no one in particular, sniffing away her tears.
I can’t tear my gaze away from the sweet little face in my arms. “I’m fine.” I bury my nose in his hair and inhale his sweet baby scent. “He’s so perfect.”
“I know,” Mattie says with a sweet smile.
Mom sits down on the edge of the bed and cups my hand. “Your turn will come.” She wants to say more but chokes up.
I stiffen. I’m not ready for their consolations and comfort. I don’t want to talk about it yet. Like Angelo kept his pain private, I want to keep mine private too. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to talk about it. But today isn’t that day.
“How about you, Brad?” I ask. “Tell me about your new school.”
After his initial shyness, he’s warming up to me again. A dribble of drool runs down his chin as he grins.
Doris brushes down her skirt. “There’s no point in standing here and counting teeth. I better go see if I can make myself useful. There’s a lot of mouths to feed.”
I smile. “It’s good to see you. I’m glad you came.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she says, blinking away tears before hurrying to the door.
“I’m glad you could all make it,” I say. “I really mean that.”
“Are you kidding?” Mom says. “You almost died. You could’ve been dead. I still have to pinch myself to be sure you’re truly here, right in front of my eyes.”
