Becca.I paced back and forth, my eyes narrowed in thought, and adrenaline rushing through my veins. I ran my fingers through my hair and took several deep breaths, trying to compose myself so that I could focus and not let stress take over everything. Today was the day. We were heading to court in an hour, and I was trying to gather my bearings. I hoped this would work out in favor of Alessandro. There was no way the court would allow Chad to gain rights over that child. Right? Otherwise, he wouldn't be with me right now. However, James wasn't here either. Though he assured me this wouldn't be forever, I still felt my heart clench upon thinking about all of this. These kids needed a family, I wanted to give that to them. Not only that, but I loved James, I was sure, even through this mess. Putting a hand on my forehead, I moved into the kids' room, poking my head through the door and fixing my eyes on Alessandro. Currently, he was awake and playing arou
Becca.I couldn't believe it. James was right. Things were finally working out for us, and we would keep Alessandro. The child could grow up with a real life. Janet had emphasized just how valuable my speech had been, which made me feel elated.It had been from the bottom of my heart, and my feelings were paying off. When we arrived home, I collapsed onto the couch, letting out a soft sigh and relaxing all of my muscles. The kids were asleep, Layla was in her room, and silence settled in the house. James was here with me and told me I could have some time to myself. He hinted at interest in a little bit… well, more than a little bit… of pleasurable fun soon.I had time to freshen up and make us dinner. I wanted to make James his favorite dish, something special. The occasion had to be celebrated properly, after all. I entered the bathroom, gazing into the mirror and noting the dark shadows under my eyes. This case had been damaging my sleep, no doubt, and I was
James.As ecstatic as I was regarding the court's decision, I knew the many problems I dealt with on the regular wouldn't be silenced. My focus shifted from the Cartwright situation, even if they threatened to the end, to the one with my uncle and damned cousin.Ronaldo was a snake.I really wanted to leave this mafia business behind, especially after it took my daughter from me. My heart once again clenched as I thought about that, my eyes closed as I let out a soft sigh. She hadn't deserved that, and the world had lost a wonderful person during that shootout.The grief would never leave, and things like what happened in court would constantly remind me of it. Though, actual activity within the damn situations like Ronaldo and the former Don would be somewhat more of a pressing matter.Why had he made me the Don? I didn't want it. I just wanted to live a normal life, at this point. Yet here I was, dealing with Ronaldo's tantrum. His attempt to pin his fa
Becca.I was glad Ronaldo would no longer be an issue, but that didn't change the fact that I didn't want to go to Italy. I didn't want to stay here, either; the Cartwrights and Stepford wives were massive issues. Leaving those issues behind and jumping into a whole set of different ones, though, was not something I wanted either. There was just too much at stake now, and things were finally looking up for us. I swallowed as James's expression shifted from that content smile to a deep frown. This wasn't going to be a fun conversation, that much I knew. However, I needed to stand my ground. Thankfully, the kids were asleep in the nursery, Layla had their monitor, and we could address this like civil adults in here."What?""You heard me," I said, my lip quivering. "We've been through so much lately, and you remember how much the mafia card almost made us lose our son, James. Things always come up; the last thing I want to do is go back into the maw of the beast."
Neal.I could already tell Becca's tone was off. Maybe this was a bad time to call, but I couldn't get her out of my head. Currently, I was sitting on my couch, staring at the wall and biting my lip.It was too late to go back now. I had to go all in on this. Maybe she did miss me. I knew I should have been working on that job so Allegra would finally be able to stop worrying about it, but I couldn't help these emotions tearing me apart. I needed to know if she missed me too. There would be some solace in that, right?"I see," Becca said, causing my heart to clench. God, I wish I could focus, right now, on that job rather than this wave of emotion that drove me to call her. The stress was overwhelming, and I couldn't get the thought of Tally's death out of my head. That, and the fact that Becca had chosen James over me.Why she would do such a thing, I would never know. James was standoffish and cold, dangerous, too, given those mafia connections. I shook m
Becca.A knock came at my door in the morning, causing me to let out a light groan. I turned in the bed, considering pretending that I was still asleep. Maybe I'd be left alone in my thoughts then. I didn't want to face this gigantic issue right now. After that talk with Neal at midnight, my stomach had twisted into several knots. My feelings on the matter were too complicated to focus on right now, not when I didn't know where we were going to end up. James insisted on Italy, but I was firm in my disagreement. Neal had sounded so dejected and depressed. I felt a pang of sadness but chose James for a reason. So I thought. Right now, after all of this, and his insistence on going back to Italy, I wasn't sure. That said, he loved the kids dearly. He had been so happy upon the finality of that trial. We could be a family now, but his past would follow him like a baby duck to its mother. Italy was too dangerous, and I really didn't know why he kept ins
Allegra.Today was the day. Kimberly may have netted me the opportunity with the modeling company, but I needed to put on my best face and ace this interview. I stood in the mirror looking at myself, a spark of determination in my blue eyes. My hair was somewhat disheveled, but I would tame it. Everything needed to be perfect for today, because I wouldn't get many chances like this. In fact, it was doubtful Kimberly could find another place at all, given my situation with the US.Layla had been on my mind lately, right along with all of my worries that she wasn't interested anymore. I frowned at myself, wishing I could stop obsessing over all of the worries swirling in my mind. Grabbing a brush, I ran it through my hair for a while, then grabbed some of my make-up and started to apply it. My stomach was twisted into several knots over the Layla situation, but I needed to focus on this interview. Maybe once I actually got the job, she would be more excited.
Allegra.Was this it? Was Layla going to confess that she didn't love me anymore? I felt tears well up and begin pouring down my cheeks. My formerly joyous mood evaporated in an instant, fading into nothing. My heart clenched, and I sniffled, though I tried to sound all choked up in what I said next. "I'm listening," I whispered. A few strands of hair fell into my face that I didn't bother to move away. I clenched my fist, waiting for her to say something. Anything.The pause she gave felt like hours. Finally, she broke the silence and said, "Allegra… I… I've been lying." There it was. She was going to say she didn't actually love me. I gave a choked sob, something she probably heard. At this point, I didn't care. My life would carry on, but my heart would be gray. This was terrible. Layla said, "No, no, Allegra, I… I still love you. Deeply. But I gave them information, okay. I misunderstood. They lied to me."Now, I was confused. I furrowed my brow, reaching up