Fragile Longing

“I thought it best that you hear it from us and not someone else.”

“How considerate of you,” I gritted out, feeling like my insides were going up in flames. Anger had become a familiar companion. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“I’d understand if you decided not to attend due to these circumstances.”

Everything in me screamed to take the easy way out. I didn’t want to see Serafina again, especially not now that I knew she carried Remo Falcone’s child. Yet, my pride was in tatters and I wouldn’t allow anyone to stomp it to the ground completely, especially not Remo Falcone. “I don’t see why I should. Serafina is no longer my concern. Sofia is my fiancée now.” Even I could hear the lingering bitterness in my voice.

Pietro cleared his throat. “Very well. See you then.”

For a long time after I ended the call, I stared at nothing.

The whirr of the wheelchair announced Emma’s appearance. I schooled my features into an expression of calm when she appeared in the doorframe.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her too-attentive eyes taking in my face. Emma knew me too well, and she was simply too good at reading other people’s emotions.

“I’m fine,” I pressed out. She was too young to be weighed down by my problems. Besides, she had her own issues to conquer.

She bit her lip. “Okay.”

Forcing a smile, I walked over to her and squeezed her shoulder. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be with Mom and Dad then, right?”

I nodded, but then an idea struck me. “Why don’t you come along? I’m in need of company.”

Her entire face transformed into pure joy and surprise. “Really? Won’t I be a bother?”

I squatted in front of her and gripped her knees. “You aren’t a bother, Emma.”

Having Emma with me in Chicago would certainly hold me back, which was exactly why I needed Emma there with me. I rarely lost my shit when she was around. I wanted to protect her from that side of me, and I really needed someone to stop me from losing my shit. Seeing Serafina again might very well make me lose it altogether.

After dinner, I called my father to inform him that he and Mother wouldn’t have to take care of Emma in the next few days.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Father asked. He sounded weaker than last time I’d talked to him, as if he could barely take in enough breath to press out a single word.

“Emma needs to be among people.”

“You know how people always stare at her.”

“I know, but I don’t give a fuck. Let them stare.”The moment Emma and I entered the Cavallaro mansion through the back entrance—because that one was wheelchair accessible—and stepped into the lobby, people’s attention shifted toward us. It was difficult to determine who of us was the center of their open curiosity—Emma in her wheelchair or myself. Dante and his wife Valentina headed toward us and I shook their hands. After that, Emma and I moved into the living area where most of the guests had gathered.

Emma gave me an embarrassed smile. “People are staring.”

“They’re staring at me. The abandoned bridegroom,” I said in a forced joking voice.

Emma’s eyes widened. Luckily, Dante’s daughter, Anna, and Sofia were heading our way. Sofia gave me a bright smile. Her cheeks turned red when I smiled back at her.

“Hi,” she said. She smoothed out her dress and bit her lip, appearing almost as if she were waiting for something. Emma and Dante’s daughter hugged and picked up a conversation while I was left to stare at Sofia’s expectant face.

“How are you?” Sofia asked, then flushed an even deeper red.

I frowned, wondering where she was going with this. “I’m fine.” My tone was clipped. Then my eyes landed on her. Serafina entered the room with Samuel, their arms linked. She was dressed in an elegant, loose-fitting dress. My gaze lingered on her midriff, looking for the bump that her choice of clothing managed to conceal. Soon, that would be impossible, and everyone would know that Remo Falcone had managed to humiliate me and the Outfit in another way. It would be the scandal of the century.

The expectant, curious looks from everyone around me would only amplify then.

Serafina glanced my way, and our eyes met. She smiled politely, then looked away, moving on with her gaze like she had done with her life. Like so often in the last few weeks, anger surged inside me. It was unreasonable to blame Serafina for any of this. She was the victim. She’d suffered for all our sins and would continue to do so.

After a moment, I realized Sofia was watching me. I gave her another quick smile, then turned to Emma. “I’ll grab drinks and something to eat. You’ve got company now?” The last was addressed to Sofia and Anna. Both girls nodded.