Page 41 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Prince

I pat her back gently as I walk out of her room. “You’re safe,amore mio(my love).” It’s time for her breakfast.

“Dorothy!”

Sophie raises her head higher and bounces on my arm as she turns to look forward. Her face spreads into a smile when she sees Dorothy walking towards us.

“Good morning, miss. I was just about to check on her,” Dorothy says. Her black and white uniform is fitted to her body.

“Get her some food and give her a bath, please; we will be going out today to visit my brother.”

Sophie lets Dorothy take her; she is very fond of Dorothy as she’s been helping with her since she was born.

I leave for the living room to inform Cyrus of my visit to the hospital. I need to see my brother and how he's doing.

“Ah, Cyrus, wait a moment.” I stop him right on time before he leaves the house.

His wound now has a plaster on it. “How can I help you, Miss Gianna?”

“I have to see my brother today. You’ll take me there. I should be ready in an hour.”

He nods in response. “I’ll get a car ready.”

I turn back to go freshen up in my room when I’m joined in the living room by my mother. She is dressed in a black corporate dress with her blonde hair in a high bun. She looks like she is going out with mild makeup on.

“Mateo stopped by last night.”

Mother’s words stop me in my tracks. I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to steady my breath. I’ve tried to prepare myself for the long-awaited marriage to him. It’s been three years and I still can’t stand the sight of him or the thought of being his wife.

“What did he say?”

“It’s time. He has waited long enough and kept his own end of the deal. You are getting married.”

Even though I still resent the marriage that my mother and father are imposing on me, Mateo has been nothing but a gentleman to me. He accepted my pleas to shift the marriage until after I had delivered my baby, and another two years to care for her; till she was a bit older. I thought by then he would get tired of my games and just leave me be. That I could somehow run away from that reality—being Mateo’s wife. Unfortunately, it seems impossible now.

“When has he proposed for the marriage to happen?” My voice is cold and devoid of emotion. It’s not like Mother is concerned by my reaction to it. She has proven again and again how littleshe cares for me. Keeping the tradition meant more to them. I’m only still here because they need me to strengthen ties with the Carusos, and to form a stronger alliance.

“In two weeks.”

I turn to look at her. My eyebrows raised in shock. “I can’t marry him in two weeks. It’s too soon.” I’m trying hard not to yell at her.

“We have waited for three long years. You’ve had enough time to be ready.”

“But–”

“It’s final, Gianna. Preparations have started and so should you.” She walks closer to me and closes the gap between us. Her sweet chocolate smell surrounds us. She takes my chin in between her fingers and lifts my head slightly to meet her gaze.

“As much as you might think it, Anna, I don’t hate you or your baby. I’m your mother and I would do anything to protect you. You and your brother mean the world to me.”

Our eyes lock and I swallow a gulp.

“You have to be strong for Sophie, Anna. I’m only doing what’s best for you. With Mateo around, she’ll grow up to have a father, not that bastard that deceived you. My grandchild deserves better and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt either of you.”

I want to tell her I can be better on my own. Sophie would have me and Giovanni. Yet I don’t. It’s useless. Mother isn’t changing her mind when her mind’s set on something. I listen to her instead, in silence, looking at her bright red lipstick.

“A little piece of advice,amore mio, always have a plan. We need this marriage to go through, especially now that the De Santis’ son is back.” She raises her eyebrows and stares at me intensely. “He could be out for revenge and we need Mateo’s men and power if we are going to survive this war.”

Mother lets go of my chin with a stare that gives me chills. It has so many unsaid words shrouded in it. She leaves me on the spot as she walks out the front door.

I walk back to my room to take a bath and change into clean clothes. By the time I’m out and back into Sophie’s room, Dorothy has her cleaned up and in new clothes.

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