Chapter 283

Brianna watched as his free hand bunched into a fist and saw the little bit of color that was left in him literally drain away. His Adam’s apple bobbed a couple of times before he managed to carry on. "How was Mum?" He closed his eyes on the excited chatter, raked his hand through his hair, and dragged in vital oxygen.

"Of course I hope to see them." It just depends on when we go to Rome. I’m glad you’re calling him that—no, really. I’m fine with it now...

Just for a second, his voice broke, and so evident was his pain, so abject his misery, that Brianna had to force herself not to go over—had to literally stop herself from walking over and taking the phone from his hand, telling Annabella he would call back later.

But Elmo recovered quickly, nodding blindly and forcing himself to go on, his cheery voice absolutely belying his hopeless stance. "Elpido would be very proud."

‘A boy?’ He didn’t look over; he just clicked off the phone and stared out of the window into the darkening night