Epilogue 1 : Lucia

It only took a few days for us to tell Leo and Laura that their mother was missing and that we wanted to adopt them.

The children refused at first but finally agreed when we presented them with evidence - fabricated evidence - that their mother had abandoned them.

They were adopted under my maiden name. Leo surprised us when he said it was the right thing to do. He was afraid that their adoption would cause discord among the Ganovese. He is still so young and yet is already very mature. As soon as the adoption papers were finalized, the children asked for permission to call us Papa and Mama, which we immediately accepted. Elio didn't say anything else, but the moment he closed his eyes and took them in his arms didn't escape me. These children will be loved more than I can imagine.

Since that day, I wake up every morning patiently waiting for them to call. And I cherish every moment they are near me.

We did the check-up ultrasound, and I was inconsolable for an hour when I was