Chapter 38

Elara's POV

The moment I lock eyes with Antonio Rossi—my dad—it feels like the entire world around me disappears. It’s as if only he and I stand there. His eyes widen, and he freezes on the spot, even though he had rushed in just moments before.

We just stare at each other for what feels like hours until he seems to recognize himself. He takes a step toward me, his hands reaching out to wipe his eyes. “Ara?” he calls out, using the same name Damien had called me a few hours earlier. Ara.

“Oh my god! It’s true, Damien. It’s true! My Bambina is here,” he says, his voice thick with an accent.

“Yes, brother. It’s true. Our Bambina is here,” Damien replies with his own smile.

At that, it seems like whatever shock Antonio Rossi had been in finally snaps. Because in the next second, he lunges toward me, pulling me out of Lorenzo’s arms and wrapping me tightly in his own. So tight. But my hands just hang at my sides, awkwardly dangling.

It seems like Antonio notices that I’m not hugging