Page 112 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Useful? I’m providing essential comic relief, thank you very much,” Paolo quips, winking at me. “Besides, I’m just here to admire my goddaughter. That’s official, by the way. I’m the godfather.”

Rafaele raises an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

“Oh, please. She already loves me. Look at that face.” Paolo grins as the baby shifts slightly in my arms. “She’s thinking, ‘Uncle Paolo is my favorite.’”

I shake my head, laughing softly, and glance at Rafaele. His hand hasn’t left mine, his unwavering presence my anchor.

Paolo squeezes my shoulder lightly, his smirk softening. “I’ll go tell the nurse you’re up.”

“Thank you,” I whisper to him, my voice trembling with gratitude. “For being here for Rafaele and for me. For everything.”

His gaze warms as he leans down to press a kiss to the top of my head. “Always,” he says before slipping out of the room.

Rafaele and I are left alone, our daughter still nestled between us as we cradle her together.

Rafaele’s lips curl into a soft smile, his thumb brushing over our daughter’s tiny hand as he gazes at her. “I would love to call her something other than ‘baby girl.’ Do you have an idea?”

I hesitate, my eyes dropping to the blanket wrapped around her. My heart races at the thought of saying it aloud, but the name has been sitting in my mind, waiting for the right moment.

“Oh, you do!” he says, his excitement breaking through his usually controlled tone. He leans closer, his face full of warmth and curiosity. “Come on, wife, tell me.”

“Aurora,” I whisper as if saying it louder might shatter the delicate beauty of the name.

“Aurora?” he repeats, his brow lifting in curiosity. “Why?”

I tilt my head, meeting his gaze. My fingers find his free hand, and I lace them together, drawing strength from his touch. “You know when darkness meets light? When the night gives way to the dawn? They meet at the aurora.”

His expression softens in a way that makes my chest ache. He leans forward, his forehead brushing against mine. “I love it,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “This is perfect. You’re perfect. And our Aurora…” He glances down at her with awe, his finger tracing the curve of her cheek. “She’s everything.”

“She’s going to be strong, Rafaele,” I whisper. “Like you. Fierce, protective… unstoppable.”

“And compassionate,” he adds, his eyes meeting mine. “Like you. She’ll have your heart, your strength.”

A small smile plays on my lips as I rest my head against his shoulder, but beneath the warmth of the moment, a quiet fear lingers in the pit of my stomach. It claws at me, subtle but insistent—a fear for myself, for our little Aurora, for the fragility of this newfound peace.

“Are we okay?” I ask tentatively, my voice barely audible.

He doesn’t hesitate, his hand resting firmly atop mine, cradling Aurora together as if the three of us were a single, unbreakable unit.

“You’ll never get hurt again.”

I lift my head slightly, meeting his steady gaze. “It’s over?”

He nods, his jaw tightening with resolve. “Sofia’s gone. They’re all gone. It’s finished.”

For a moment, I don’t respond, letting his words settle over me. I don’t need to know the details—how or when. All I need is the certainty in his voice, the unshakable strength of the man who pulled me back from the edge.

“I don’t want to think about that anymore,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the rawness of everything we’ve endured. My eyes drop to Aurora, who stirs slightly in her sleep, her tiny fingers curling into the soft blanket. “Not now. Not with this.”

Rafaele’s gaze softens, the sharpness of his protective edge momentarily replaced with tenderness. He shifts closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Then we won’t. That’s the past.”

“Leo?” I ask quietly, unable to suppress the question that’s been on my mind.

A tired but genuine laugh escapes Rafaele, a sound that holds both relief and pride. “Ah, Leo. I got to see a glimpse of the man I always knew he could be these past few days. He really stepped up as I…” He falters slightly, his throat working to steady his tone. “As I lost my way without you. He showed he had the ability I always believed he did, and now… now I think he sees it too.”

I let my head rest against Rafaele’s shoulder again, my nose brushing the crook of his neck, taking in his warmth, his scent, and the undeniable comfort he always brings me.

“We’re okay,” I murmur, more to myself than to him. “Aren’t we?”

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