His Spawns.

Massimo's expression stayed unchanged, so is Paolo's.

Violette felt like she's the only one who heard the kids just now, and she wondered if these two are really humans or stones pretending to have blood and flesh.

"You heard them" she spoke up, her voice lower than intended.

"What were you expecting, Teresa. You left them for a year and more. They wouldn't jump into your arms and give you a darn hug" Massimo replied, his words curt.

"I'm not Tere—"

"Watch your tongue, Teresa" Massimo cut her off, reminding her of her current identity.

Violette quickly gathered herself together, brushing her hair back with her palm.

Massimo entered the mansion, and a lady came out, taking Violette's bag from Paolo who retired to his own quarters afterwards.

"I'm Marie, the maid" the lady introduced herself with a smile so radiant it could lighten a room.

Violette liked her immediately.

"You're the new Mrs. Visconti. The Boss told me everything about you already. You only have to ask me anything about the real Mrs. Visconti or the kids, and I'll tell you" Marie smiled again, politely.

Violette went closer to her, and the lady leaned closer too.

"Why couldn't he tell them about their mother's death instead of hiring me to act like her? They're bound to find out sooner or later" Violette spoke in a low voice, and Marie sighed.

"They were born with weak hearts, and the doctor already warned against any shocking news. It might kill them no matter the slightness, and they both loved their mother a lot, so The Boss had to keep it from them. Every member of the inner circle and family members are aware, but they had to pretend just to fool the kids"

"Oh" Violette blinked, developing sudden pity for the kids without planning to.

She could imagine how hard it must have been for them without their mother for the past one year, and with a father who's like the devil's advocate.

Violette grew up in an orphanage till she was adopted by the rich La Rosa family at five. She had lived with the family for five years before she was framed for theft.

At ten, she was thrown out of the La Rosa mansion. She met Carla who was another orphan in the streets, and they had strived and grew together, only for her to become a thorn.

Growing up without either parents was hellish, but as kids with weak hearts, a year without a mother might have been harder.

Right there, Violette decided to do all it'd take. They're free to stay mad at her for as long as they want, she'd earn their forgiveness.

"The Boss had to lie to them continuously that their mother went for a confidential mission in America, but then he saw you in a VIMI modelling shoot and kept an eye on you since then. The opportunity showed up after the thing with your groom happened" Marie kindly explained, and Violette took a deep breath, taking everything in at the same time.

"Thanks a lot, Marie" she gave the woman a short but genuine smile.

"You're very welcome, ma'am" Marie replied, leading her inside.

The interior of the mansion has the same colour as the exterior, and the designs are intricately modest, clean with a long staircase which led upstairs to the rooms. A large modern kitchen, a spacious dinning room and the lavishly furnished living room which was exceptionally designed with gold.

The kids aren't anywhere around, so Marie led Violette upstairs to her room, right beside the kids room.

"If you need anything, ma'am, please call for me. I'm at your service" Marie told her before leaving.

Violette looked around the neatly-arranged room, the smell of Teresa's strawberry perfume still lingering in the air.

She has never had a room this big all her life.

She noticed there are two other adjoining doors and proceeded to opening them.

The first one is the bathroom which is as big as her former room in her former place.

The second room is a closet—Teresa's closet, full to the brim with her luxury wears.

Violette's mouth couldn't close as she stared, till her heels hit something on the ground.

She squatted, picking it up.

It's a bottle of cognac, and there's a half-smoked cigar right beside it.

Violette's lashes flicked. Massimo Visconti is obviously not over his dead wife.

He obviously came here to reminisce about her.

Seems The Boss was down bad for his wife and is still down bad even after losing her.

Teresa Lombardi was a lucky woman.

--

Luca and Lucia share a room since they insisted, but the room is in two parts.

The right part is designed black completely—even the bedspread and walls in that side are black, but the other side is ash and white. The respective owners are obvious.

Massimo is in the middle of the room with the twins, squatting in front of them with questioning eyes.

"You wanted her to return, what's with the attitude?"

"We wanted her to return, but that doesn't mean we forgive her for the one year she spent apart from us" Lucia spoke, the black ribbons in her ponytails dangling.

Her sass is like a signature in her voice.

"We'll act mad at her for as long as we want, that'll be her punishment" Luca added, pocketing his hands.

"But then...what are the fading scars on her face and knees? Did someone hurt her?" Lucia asked, and despite her hard font, she couldn't hide her worry.

Massimo knew this would go a long way in buying their forgiveness—he had instructed the doctor to leave some scars on Violette's body which will be wiped off eventually, and now the use just came in handy.

"She didn't just leave for silly fun, you both should listen to what she has to say" he said, looking from one to the other.

"That can wait till we finish venting" Luca said, signalling to his sister.

The two walked to their respective beds, piling the duvets over themselves.

Their telepathy stretches too much, and it's scary to strangers.

Knowing his twins so well, Massimo didn't bother talking further.

He left the room, and at the same time, Violette came out of her room, wearing one of Teresa's short gowns from the closet.

His eyes frosted as he walked fast to her, and she expected him to egg her with words, but he only walked past, making her turn.

"Can I. . .enter the kids room?"

"You're their mother, do what you want, Teresa, but careful. They're mean when they're mad" he replied, descending the stairs and leaving the mansion.

Violette maintained her position, weighing his words in her mind till Marie showed up.

"The kids can't hold themselves back when they see their best snacks"

"Homemade waffles and beet juice?" Violette raised her lids

"Sure, I'll help you ma'am" Marie replied kindly, and Violette sighed in relief.

This woman is surely a godsent.

Violette followed her downstairs, into the kitchen.