I Am Your Mother

Nicole was puzzled by the stranger's behavior. The woman stared at her intently, and suddenly, it clicked in Nicole's mind.

"I remember now. You're the woman who approached my father the other day."

"Yes, that's correct. Your father hasn't been willing to talk to me. He has put up surveillance to keep me away from you."

"Do you have something to do with my father? Are you his lover?"

"I was his wife twenty years ago."

"It can't be. Were you his wife when my mother was pregnant with me?"

"No."

"Then please explain, because I don't understand."

"They have lied to you. Please, just allow me to finish speaking. What I'm about to tell you is very difficult, and it will be a shock to you. When I married Noah, I was pregnant with someone else's child. That person abandoned me. Your father was terminally ill, and his dying wish was for him to marry someone else. He didn't know I was pregnant because I found out afterward, when he was already married."

"I looked for Noah and agreed to marry him without telling him I was pregnant. I made him believe that you were born prematurely. I know I didn't act correctly, but my parents wouldn't have forgiven me, and they wouldn't have allowed you to be born."

"It can't be true. You're lying. My mother is Emma. I don't know who you are or what you're trying to accomplish with this."

"I am your mother. Your father's name is Gío. Gío Rossano. He has just found out that he is your father, and he is happy with the news."

"We can do a DNA test, but I kindly ask you not to let Noah find out. He believes he is your father, and he will try to prevent you from taking the test. Choose the doctor and the day you want to do it."

"If what you're saying is true, then you abandoned me."

"It wasn't like that. I was kidnapped by Sergio De Santis. He wanted to force me to love him, and when he realized I didn't reciprocate his feelings, he locked me up in a psychiatric hospital, forcing me to give him the inheritance your grandparents left for you. The company and that man's fortune belong to you."

Nicole listened to what the woman was saying. She couldn't believe it. Her world was falling apart. If it weren't for the striking resemblance between them, she would have thought the woman was crazy. The color of her eyes and hair was the same as Nicole's. Her father had brown hair and green eyes, while her supposed mother was a redhead with honey-colored eyes. Nicole had always thought she didn't resemble them.

"The day we take the test, if you agree to it, you will meet your father. He is here. He doesn't want to pressure you. He understands that it's a heavy blow for you. I only ask that you don't say anything yet. My life is in danger if Sergio finds out."

"Alright. For now, I'm in a very complicated situation with my husband, and it's difficult for me to leave the house. Give me your phone number, and I will message you to arrange the DNA test."

Rina gave her the number, and Nicole immediately left the bathroom. The shock had affected her deeply, and she didn't feel well. She had lived a life of lies. Now she understood Sondra's behavior. Sondra must have known she wasn't Emma's daughter. Nicole wondered if Noah was Sondra's father. Nicole was eighteen years old, and Sondra was twenty-three. When she received the DNA test results, they would have to provide her with many explanations, whether the result was positive or not.

She returned to the table, feeling very unwell. Bruno hurriedly approached to support her as she almost fell. He thought it was due to anemia, but she didn't know if it was because of the shock or the pregnancy.

"Nicole, are you okay?" Bruno asked.

"It was just a slight dizziness, but it's passed now."

Her parents and in-laws expressed concern, but only Sondra seemed to be pleased with what was happening. Bruno insisted on taking her home, ignoring his sister, who had no choice but to stay with their parents. Nicole didn't know what lie he would tell them about where she was living.

When they arrived at the mansion, Bruno insisted on carrying her in his arms to her bedroom. He gently placed her on the bed and turned to leave. Nicole thought he was going to go, but he approached the door, locked it, turned on the lamp on the nightstand, and then turned off the main light. He entered the walk-in closet and returned with Nicole's pajamas in his hands.

"If you don't want me to see, I'll turn away. Or if you allow me, I'll help you change," he said.

She let him remove her dress, and he did it slowly. He roamed her body with his gaze, and Nicole couldn't help but tremble. This time, she would listen to what her body felt, she would listen to her conscience afterward.

It was a wonderful night, a tremendous marathon. They made love so many times that they lost count. The night seemed too short, and Nicole would have wanted it to be infinite. There wasn't a part of her body that he didn't explore with his lips and hands. It was both tender and passionate.

Nicole sighed. It would be so easy to get used to this. She was lying on his chest, and she tried to get up to take a shower, but her legs didn't respond. So she settled back next to him and fell asleep. When she woke up, he was no longer there. She thought they were back to square one. The truce had ended.

Bruno had woken up very early. Nicole was still sleeping on his chest. He watched her for a while. She was incredibly beautiful, with lovely and delicate features. He couldn't believe that what he was feeling for her was wrong. 

Falling into her trap would be foolish, even though he knew it would help her achieve her plans. He bathed and dressed, trying to make as little noise as possible. He would go to the office without breakfast. He didn't want to confront Nicole. When he went downstairs, Sondra was already waiting for him. They left together, and he would drop her off. On the way, she confronted him, realizing that he had spent the night with her sister. Bruno became furious. He didn't owe her any explanations. She had already been given more than she deserved.

“You spent the night with my sister?”

“It's not something that should concern you.”

“You're doing exactly what she wants, she'll soon achieve everything she has planned.”

“I think it's time we put an end to this charade, you should go back to your parents' house.”

“Bruno, I actually care about you. Give me a chance to show you that I love you, that you can be happy with me. Get Nicole completely out of your life.”

“From now on, whatever I do or don't do with Nicole is my own business. I made the mistake of letting you into my house, but starting today, you will no longer be allowed entry. I'll send your things to your parents' house.”

“You're a complete idiot. I've only tried to help you. Don't say I didn't warn you about what Nicole has planned. I won't go back to your house, but I swear I'll make you pay for what you've done to me.”

“I haven't done anything to you. We had an agreement to expose your sister, but now I'm doubting what you've told me. It's better for you to leave here, I'll call a taxi to take you.”

She stormed off, slamming the door. Bruno had made it clear from the beginning that he wasn't interested. He had come to know her and knew she could be lying about Nicole.

She arrived at her office and immersed herself in work. She wanted to keep her mind occupied, but she couldn't get Nicole out of her thoughts for a single second. It had even seemed like she heard her voice outside. She went out to check and found her talking to Bertha.

“Nicole, what are you doing here? The doctor hasn't authorized you to come back yet.”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Go ahead, come into my office.”

He observed her for a moment, seeing her so small, so fragile. Lately, he had noticed she had gained a little weight, yet she looked worn out and pale. She sat in front of him and looked at him with her large blue eyes.

“What's the matter? Do you need something?”

“Bruno, what are we? What's going to happen with our relationship?”

“Relationship? What relationship? What happened was insignificant. I don't want you to think there's anything between us.”

“Alright, I understand. I'm just going to ask you not to come near me again.”

“You're mistaken. I will come near you, and I will make you mine whenever I please.”

“You're stupid, arrogant. You think you can have the world at your feet. From today, I won't let you or Sondra trample over me however you like. Everything has a limit, and I've reached mine.”

Bruno had said what he didn't truly feel. In that moment, his pride had outweighed his heart. When he told her they didn't have a relationship, she took it calmly, which hurt him. However, when he said he would make her his whenever he pleased, she became furious. After insulting him, she stormed out, slamming the door.

Bruno talked to Jack. Nicole couldn't leave without his permission. His biggest fear was that she would try to leave him.