ALESSANDRO’S POVTo say I was surprised by the child-like voice coming through my phone was an understatement. I hadn’t even known he had his own phone number, but when the first thing he did was to assure me he wasn’t a dinosaur agent, a part of my heart I didn’t know existed tickled. I couldn’t believe a kid that came from me could be this adorable. Bianca’s genes really came in clutch for Luca.Gio and Leo had paused their needling to put their ears on my phone, prompting me to swat their heads away, but it was to no avail—they were both nosy as hell. “Daddy, what are we co-CEOs of again?” he asked tentatively like he was sad. I didn’t want that tone from someone so cute, and I frankly never expected to be called “Daddy” by anyone in this lifetime. I hadn’t done enough good things to be blessed with such positive karma, but I would make sure I deserved it.Choked with strange emotions, I had to clear my throat before I answered. “Is it the Morretti Enterprise?… Daddy forgot too.”
BIANCA’S POVAfter taking several million photos of my adorable fashionista in his outfit, Darren arrived. He wore a white shirt and black trousers with his signature suspenders dangling around his waist. His hair was styled to ultimate perfection, and he had three rings on each finger. He looked ready for a day at an orchard, a walk down the red carpet, and evening tea with the queen all in one. I pitied Giovanni with a small smile; what had he done to deserve the punishment of having someone so good-looking within his reach yet so far away from him?The drive to the villa was filled with Luca talking about his ‘Uncle Gio’. The sneaky little twat had apparently called his father just before I left, and any worries I had that they were going to be awkward, since Alessandro was technically meeting him for the first time due to his memory gaps, dissipated.I could see Darren’s disappointment because Luca couldn’t provide more information than the fact that they were both funny in the sa
ALESSANDRO’S POVIt was funny how holding Luca made my anger subside so quickly. The staff lady was recommended by my eldest brother. He told me she was the daughter of someone important in witness protection. Apparently, they were still in hiding, and their daughter has been working here for three years.They would have to take her along with them when they surfaced. Anyone who had the audacity to talk back to Bianca—anyone at all—would face my wrath. Because of my brother, I would let her leave without scars.Daddy, your flowers are agents,” was the first thing my son said to me. This was the first time I could remember meeting him, but he smelled so familiar—like strawberries and something that reminded me of babies. I hugged him closer and stood up from my crouch.“Who told you their secrets?” I asked with a serious face. He shot a glance at Darren and looked back at me with the air of a man asked to protect the president.Uncle Darren did,’ he said. I held back the urge to bite h
DARREN’S POVMy need for gossip was strong, but I wasn’t completely deaf to environmental cues. I knew when I wasn’t wanted, so I decided to wander off in search of the excited little man who had gone running through the maze. I found him quickly enough, in the arms of his “Uncle Gio,” who was currently kneeling in the grass with pristine brown pants. I winced. The material of his outfit was too precious to be casually in the grass. I had expected that he’d dress up, and he didn’t let me down. His shirt was simple and white, but it molded to his body like he knew I’d get even more infatuated. I had to make my presence known and rescue Luca from the tank holding him down. I couldn’t let Luca get a favorite uncle that wasn’t me, after all.“Looks like someone doesn’t want to play in fountains anymore,” I said, throwing a teasing glance at Luca, who gasped and squirmed in Giovanni’s hold. “I wanna play in the fountains,” he shrieked, laughing as Gio began a tickle assault on the poor
DARREN’S POV“Oh, I’m sure you could,” I snorted, trying not to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was enjoying this. “But this is a garden, not a forest, and we’re trying to be civilized here. Aren’t we supposed to be focusing on the whole ‘friends’ part?”Gio’s smile didn’t fade, but he glanced at the stone bench again, like he wasn’t quite ready to sit just yet. “Yeah, I get it. Friends first. Benefits later,” he said with a wink that wasn’t helping the situation at all. “But, like... can we at least text? You know, when we’re not planning our next ‘hangout?’”He said it so casually, but I could feel the weight behind it like this wasn’t just about logistics. Was texting, part of the benefits? Or was that something more? Either way, I wasn’t going to let him see me hesitate. I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “Sure, why not? Texting’s not exactly relationship territory.”Gio’s eyebrows shot up like he was pleasantly surprised. “Really? Cool. I thought you’d make a big deal o
"Matteo? What's the meaning of this?" I asked as I stared at the divorce papers, with widened eyes."I said, I want a divorce, Bianca."I blinked back tears..."After all these years? With everything I sacrificed for you and your family! You want a divorce from me?! Could you be more heartless?" I sobbed, tears falling down my eyes. But all he did was stare at me blankly. "It's because of her right?" I suddenly asked. "Because of Toria, you're leaving me alone!" I smacked his chest with everything in me, but he just stood there, unmoving while I expressed myself in vain.Tired, I finally fell to the ground, the emotional wounds in my chest not allowing me to breathe properly."For years..." He began "...I waited for you to bear me a child. How much longer do I have to wait?!" His eyes glowered with fury and disdain as he stared at me.This wasn't the man I met five years ago, claiming to love me and wanting to protect me. No this was a heartless man that cared about nobody but himself
BIANCA'S POVThe sound of the plane engines quieted down as we landed in Rome. Luca, my son who is five years old, hardly glanced away from his dinosaur toy, unaware of the storm of feelings stirring within me.It had been five years since I last set foot in Italy, five years since I left behind a failing marriage and a lifestyle that suppressed my inner self. I had returned, no longer the timid Bianca Matteo of the past, but as Bianca Rossi, the successful CEO of a growing global fashion business.I had a smug expression on my face while I looked through the most recent Italian tabloid on my phone. On the front page, I saw the main reason why I came back - Matteo's wedding announcement. He was getting married to Toria, whom I was certain was a trophy wife."Mom, will we be visiting Dad?" Luca's question, innocent though it was, cut through my amusement.I hesitated briefly, my smile fading momentarily. "Not quite right, dear. This event is specifically for adults.Luca was happy to n
MATTEO’S POV The sound of clinking champagne glasses and polite conversation faded as I kept my eyes on the woman across the room. “Bianca.”It was impossible.Five years of silence, with everyone thinking she had disappeared, but now she was back, appearing in a stunning red outfit and exuding a new level of self-assurance.However, what really hit me hard was the presence of the boy next to her. A young child, roughly five years old, is trapped in the realm of a plastic dinosaur. Is he my child?I couldn't shake the impossible from my thoughts. I had created a life with Toria that I truly believed was everything I desired. A devoted spouse, an adorable daughter, and a contented life.However, the initial excitement I had with Bianca, the small hint of a bond I had ignored as childish foolishness, now appeared to taunt me from a distance in the room."Matteo, my love? "Are you doing okay?" Toria's worried tone brought me back to reality. The soft lighting made her diamond ring s