Page 36 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Prince

“I’m sorry.” I wipe my eyes, opening them now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

He walks to the door and grabs the handle, turning back to stare at me. “I’ll kill him if he ever returns.” Giovanni looks down at my belly before he walks out of the room and slams the door.

My heart sinks as I cry harder with my palms covering my face. Father will be aware in no time. He and Mother will come barging in any moment now. I broke their trust. Our family’s tradition. With none other than the son of my family’s rival. Nothing could feel worse.

The door to my room flies open a few minutes after Giovanni left. Father’s voice rings in my ears as he yells my name. Mother isn’t with him as I open my eyes to look at him. His eyes blaze with fury.

I would give anything to undo all of this. Luca has given me every reason to regret ever falling in love with him. He fucking left and now I’m alone with our mess.

“You’ve done nothing but be a disgrace, a stain on this family,” Father yells at the top of his lungs, sounding like a wounded animal.

I sniff hard, my eyes tired from crying.

Father’s face is contorted with a look of resentment. If he only knew how much more I hated myself now. “You went against my word, our tradition,…” He walks closer to me. “…La sacra bibbia(the Holy Bible) and got yourself pregnant.” The last word comes out of his mouth with disgust so thick that it forms lumps in my throat. It’s undeniable.

He has one arm in his pocket and his black cross dangling from his neck. “You had no shame in giving away your virginity before marriage, but letting a De Santi take your virginity? You are like a cheap whore.”

The tears come rolling down again.

“I’m not letting any bastard tarnish my legacy. Fix your mess or I’ll do it for you.” He stares at me for a moment before he walks out of the room.

I place my hand on my belly as I continue to break down in tears.

How does he want me to fix my mess?

There’s a child growing in me. My child and Luca’s. I have no fucking idea what to do.

“Where are you, Luca?” I whisper as I shut my eyes.

If I could go back in time and change everything, I would.

***

It’s been a week since I—my entire family—found out that I am pregnant.

The worst week yet, as I stay locked in my room for days.

Giovanni is the only one who found it necessary to check up on me. The maids keep me fed, serving me in my room.

I stroll out of the hallway to the living room. Mother is seated when I get there. She has her glasses on and her eyes glued to a document in her hands. I thought everyone would have been gone by this time of the day.

The afternoon sun is seeping into the room through the glass windows. I try to turn back but she stops me before I can.

“Stop there, Gianna,” Mother says. Her eyes still focused on the paper and her voice gentle. It’s not like before.

“I had no idea you were here; I didn't mean to interrupt.”

She raises her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes stop on my belly for a minute before she returns them to my face. “Mateo had come by earlier to see you.”

I can see a resemblance. Me in her. From the way her cheekbones stand out to her amber-colored eyes and full lips, just like mine. “I do not want to see anyone,” I reply firmly.

“It’s not your choice to make.” Mother closes the document and stands to her feet. “From the moment you got yourself pregnant, you have no say in the decisions we make around here because you clearly couldn’t make the right one for yourself.”

Her words pierce right through my heart like a sharp knife twisted into me. “I’m not marrying him.”

“Yes, you are.” She walks closer to me and stops in front of me. “Let’s hope he goes through with the marriage and accepts the bastard you carry. It’s either that or we get rid of it.”

I rest my palm on my belly. “I’m not letting anyone take away my child.”

---