The Italian's Unexpected Heir

And now, with his decision at last vocalized, the Monday-morning sun rose in the sky just as it had always done. It was oblivious to the monumental changes going on in Enzo’s life. And so he went about life just as he had been doing. He’d already been out in the fields inspecting the vines. It wouldn’t be long now and they’d be able to harvest the grapes.

His first season in sole charge of the vineyard and it was going to prove to be their biggest and best year. His father would have loved to see all their hard work come to fruition. If only that horrific car accident hadn’t stolen both of Enzo’s parents away.

If his parents were still here, Enzo’s family wouldn’t have been blown apart by a deep, dark secret that his parents had been harboring for many years. It was a secret Enzo had thought he knew the answer to. But when DNA results revealed his youngest sister, Gia, was not a Bartolini by blood but rather a result of their mother’s affair, he’d been utterly floored.

He’d seen the way the news had stunned Gia and ripped her heart apart. But he couldn’t have been prouder of her when she pulled herself together and went in search of her biological father. Not everyone could do such a thing. He wasn’t sure he

could have done what she did...

“Enzo, I have the mail.” Sylvie, the estate’s wedding planner, stepped onto the balcony.

He didn’t turn around. “I don’t want to look at it now. Just toss it in the office.” Then, realizing he’d forgotten his manners—manners his mother had instilled in him—he said, “Thank you.”

Sylvie stepped up next to him. “You might want to see these two things.”

Her words stirred his curiosity. “Why’s that?”

“They’re from your sisters.”

A smile tugged at his lips. Through it all, they’d still remembered his birthday. When Sylvie held out two pieces of mail, he readily accepted them.

The first was a postcard. It was from the island of Lapri. The front of it had a picture of a dog licking gelato with the beach in the background. Okay, so a postcard wasn’t exactly a birthday card, but it was the thought that counts. He flipped it over, already knowing it was from Gia.

Having a great time. The villa is almost remodeled. I’ll have to find another house to work on. G

That was it? His gaze searched the card again. No birthday wishes. No I miss you. No I’m coming back. Not even a Love, Gia. Just a little note and an impersonal, unfeeling G.

His good mood deflated like a balloon stuck with a sharp needle. A big whoosh and his mood was back to its prior melancholy state of being.

Enzo blew out a deep sigh. This confirmed that their close-knit family was forever fractured. Nothing would ever be as it had been. If only he hadn’t held on to that secret—the one he wasn’t supposed to know anything about—maybe then things wouldn’t be so different.

“Aren’t you going to open the other one?” Sylvie’s voice drew him from his thoughts. “It looks official. It has a crest on it and everything.”

Enzo lifted the cream-colored envelope and saw the purple seal on the back. It was from his other sister Bianca. He noticed that the envelope was weighty, like there might be a card inside. A little smile played at the corners of his mouth. Bianca was always good at remembering his birthday.

He recalled the one time she’d planned a surprise for him. It was a birthday party in the garden. The only problem was she’d only invited her friends—her girlfriends. And most of them had crushes on him. Bianca had a good laugh, but he’d never been so glad for a party to end.

He slipped his finger under the flap—

“Stop!”

He hesitated and turned to Sylvie. “What?”

She wore a look of horror, as though he was about to destroy something sacred. “You can’t just rip that open.”

“Why not?” It was an envelope. Sure, it was of much finer quality, but still, it was an envelope. “If I don’t open it, how will I know what’s inside?”

“Wait. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” She rushed back inside the villa.

He thought about going ahead and opening it, but he didn’t want to upset Sylvie. She was going to be upset enough when he told her his news. There was no need to make this day any worse. He just didn’t know why Sylvie was making such a big fuss over an envelope.

A minute later she returned, holding up a silver letter opener. “Here you go.”

He took the letter opener that was older than he was and handed down from his grandparents to his parents and now to him. The metal tip slipped easily through the fold and he yanked. The paper tore in a straight line. Nice and neat, just like Sylvie wanted.

He withdrew the card. As his gaze took in the words, he realized it wasn’t a birthday card but rather an invitation. Neither sister had remembered his birthday.

“What is it?” Excitement rang out in Sylvie’s voice.