Mary, Antonio's housekeeper, sat in a rocking chair beside Landon's crib, gently swaying back and forth. She turned to Valerie with a warm smile as she entered the room."Was he a good boy?" Valerie asked."A perfect baby, this one is," Mary replied. "Didn't cry much and went right to sleep after feeding."Valerie smiled proudly. "I am glad to hear it.""He is good just like his mother," Antonio's voice boomed near Valerie's ear. Valerie felt Antonio's warmth seeping through her as Antonio wrapped his fingers around her waist and pulled her against his body.Mary got up. "I will return to my room now, Signor Costello and Signora Foster. Is there anything else you need from me?"Valerie shook her head. "Thank you for watching Landon, Mary.""It's my pleasure," Mary said before exiting the room.Antonio kissed Valerie's neck, and a shock of pleasure shook her to her core. "The baby is sleeping already," he whispered."Yes, he is," Valerie said, shivering as he placed another kiss on her
"When I had just turned sixteen, my father sent me to one of his clubs to collect the money the manager owed him," Antonio began. "I hated going to those clubs. The scent of alcohol and perfume made my eyes water and it was suffocating."Valerie listened to him with wide eyes and not interrupting. She realized how hard it was for him to tell her the story just by looking into his eyes."My eyes scanned the room, searching for the man I was looking for," he said. "I found him then, the manager, laughing at the bar with a glass in hand, carefree. He hadn't seen me yet. I approached him, ready to remind him of his debts."Antonio paused and wrinkled his forehead as if to recall the event scene by scene."The man asked me how old I was and who I was so I told him who my father was," Antonio continued. "I called one of my father's henchmen as a backup. This wasn't the first time I wasn't taken seriously because of my age, and it won't be the last. But that didn't mean my father would stop
"Antonio," Valerie said. "Can I ask you something?" Antonio raised his eyebrows, intrigued by her question. "Of course, what do you want to know?" "Why me? Why do you like me? Is it simply because you think I'm pretty? Or is it because you want to be a father and adopting Landon was...easy?" she asked. He looked into Valerie's beautiful green eyes, his heart swelling with emotions he didn't know he could feel. "I liked...no, I loved you because of who you are, not what you look like. And I wanted to be with you because I saw a depth to your soul that I couldn't resist. You're strong, resilient, and full of love. That's why I chose you. Not because it was easy, but because it was right." Valerie's expression softened, and she smiled at him. "You don't actually love me. You're just saying that, right?" "No." His tone was firm. What would it take to convince this woman how much he loved her? He had been smitten with her since day one, and she was questioning whether he was just sayin
The first light of morning trickled through the curtains, and Valerie's eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she lay there, disoriented."Damn," she whispered, her body tensing from the residual sadness she felt from hearing Antonio's story.She could still see the pain in his eyes. They were not much different, she and Antonio. Both had suffered at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and protect them.Antonio must have already left, so she pushed herself out of bed and began her new routine.First, she went to Landon's room, where the baby lay, cooing softly in his crib. As Valerie picked him up and cradled him in her arms, she felt a surge of love for this tiny being. She sat down in the rocking chair, allowing Landon to latch onto her breast as he drank hungrily.Valerie's thoughts kept drifting to Antonio, his caring nature shining through even in the darkest moments of her life."Landon, your adopted father is an incredible man," she whispered softly, kissing his forehead
Three weeks later...Valerie stood before the full-length mirror, her hands trembling as she adjusted the delicate lace of her wedding gown. Nervousness and excitement coursed through her veins like wildfire.This was the day she had been dreaming of, and now that it was here, she couldn't help but feel a pang of panic."Nervous?" Ellie asked.Valerie nodded."Don't be. You look amazing. Antonio might pass out when he sees you," Ellie said seriously.Valerie giggled.The door creaked open, and River stepped into the room. His presence instantly calmed her nerves. He offered a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with understanding. "Wow, Valerie. You look stunning.""Thank you," she whispered, trying to steady her shaking hands."Are you ready?" River asked, extending his arm for her to take.Valerie took a deep breath, gripping River's arm tightly as if it were a lifeline. "As ready as I'll ever be.""Good," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "Antonio better know how lucky he is," he m
A loud crash shattered the perfect moment, drawing everyone's attention to the garden's entrance. Antonio's men tensed, their hands moving instinctively toward their concealed weapons. Antonio's grip on Valerie tightened protectively."What was that?" Valerie whispered, her heart pounding with fear.Antonio's jaw clenched. "Stay close to me," he ordered, his voice low and urgent.Were they being attacked?River jumped up from his seat, his eyes blazing. "It seems we have uninvited guests," he said, his voice laced with tension.Before anyone could react, a group of masked men burst into the garden, their faces hidden behind black balaclavas. They were armed, their presence menacing as they advanced toward the gathering."Everyone, get down!" Antonio barked, his voice commanding and authoritative.Valerie's heart raced with terror. She clung to his arm, her fingers digging into his suit jacket."I won't let anything happen to you," Antonio quickly reassured her.Gunfire erupted, the sh
Antonio dragged the man to his feet, pushing him towards River, who stood up slowly, his body shaking either from rage or loss, it was hard to tell. As the man stumbled in front of him, River stared into his eyes, searching for any sign of remorse. There was none."Look at her!" River roared, pointing at Ellie's body. "Look at what you've done!"The man's eyes darted toward Ellie, then quickly away, but not before a flash of satisfaction flickered across his face.That was all River needed. He lunged forward, grabbing the man by the collar and connecting his fist with the man's jaw.The man groaned. Blood trickled down his nose, but the smirk on his face didn't change.River pulled back his fist and struck the man again. And then again."River! Stop!" Antonio intervened, pulling him back. "Not here."He paused, breathing heavily, his fist still raised. Slowly, the fire in his eyes dimmed as he looked over at Ellie again."You're right," River said hoarsely, turning away from his capti
Valerie was overcome by grief. Ellie was not just a sister-in-law to her. She was also her best friend. They had been friends since high school, she was River's first love and now...She was gone.Will River be okay? Valerie sobbed at her brother's loss. And the kids. Oh my god, they lost their mother!She had tucked Tiffany and Lucas into their beds. They were all cried out for the night, and exhaustion slowly took over them. And now, she was standing outside of their closed door, contemplating."Mi amore." Antonio's voice brought her back.She looked at him with her eyes full of tears. "What will happen to River and the kids? How will they cope?"Antonio stroked her cheek. "It will get easier with time. And we will be there for them."Valerie nodded. "I am sorry."Antonio lifted his brow. "For what?""I can't help but feel responsible for Ellie's death. She died because...because she tried to save me," she choked out.Antonio suddenly bent down and lifted Valerie into his arms, crad