Page 115 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“I, uh, didn’t want to intrude, but?—”

Rafaele claps him on the back. “You’re family. You can never intrude.” He glances at me, his expression softening. “I just need five minutes. I’ll be right back.”

I nod, cradling Aurora closer. “Leo, could you hold her while Rafaele steps out?”

His eyes widen, and he takes a step back, his hands raised. “Me? No way. I’ll drop her or—she’ll cry, or something will?—”

“You’ll be fine. Just sit down.”

He hesitates but eventually lowers himself onto the couch, his hands outstretched awkwardly. Carefully, I place Aurora in his arms, guiding his hands to support her head.

She settles instantly, her tiny hand gripping his finger. His expression softens, wonder replacing his earlier panic. “She’s… she’s so small.”

“And she already loves you,” I say, sitting beside him. “See? Nothing to be scared of.”

Leo swallows hard, his voice thick. “I’m sorry, Nora. For everything. For putting you in danger, for Sofia, for?—”

“There’s no need,” I cut him off, my tone gentle but firm. “You’ve already made amends. You stepped up when it mattered most. That’s what counts.”

He nods, his eyes never leaving Aurora. “Thank you. For giving me a chance to be better.”

When Rafaele returns, he finds us sitting together, Aurora still in Leo’s arms. “I leave for five minutes, and you’re already stealing her,” Rafaele teases, though there’s warmth in his tone as he sets a file on the coffee table.

Leo grins sheepishly and carefully hands Aurora back to me. “She’s all yours.” He stands, picking up the file. “I’ll deal with these shipments. You spend time with your beautiful wife and daughter.”

Rafaele clasps his shoulder firmly. “Thank you, Leo. For everything.”

Leo nods, his expression softening. “I’ll see you both in the morning.” He glances once more at Aurora before heading out, leaving the room quiet except for the faint creak of the door closing behind him.

I cradle Aurora closer, her tiny body warm and comforting against mine. Rafaele sinks onto the couch beside me, and wraps his arm around my shoulders. For a moment, we sit in silence, letting the stillness settle around us like a soft blanket.

“You should take some time off,” I murmur, with my gaze fixed on Aurora. “For real this time.”

He chuckles, low and deep, and presses a kiss to my temple. “I think I will. Starting tonight.”

The nursery is quiet, bathed in soft golden light from the lamp beside the rocking chair. I sit there now, Aurora nestled inmy arms as she feeds, her tiny fingers brushing against my skin. Rafaele leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed but his gaze soft, full of love.

“She’s perfect,” I whisper, running a finger gently along Aurora’s cheek.

“She is,” Rafaele agrees, stepping closer. He crouches beside us, resting his head against my knee, his hand lightly stroking Aurora’s back. “Just like her mother.”

I smile, my heart full to bursting. “You’re biased.”

“Completely,” he admits, and his lips curve into a smile. “And unapologetically so.”

Aurora finishes feeding, her little body going slack as she falls asleep. Rafaele carefully lifts her from my arms and cradles her against his chest. The sight of him holding her—the man who once thought he was incapable of love, now so tender and devoted—makes my throat tighten with emotion.

“She’s so lucky to have you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “We’re the lucky ones.”

I watch as he places her gently in the crib, his movements careful, reverent. He stands there for a moment, just looking at her, before turning back to me.

“Come here,” he says softly, holding out his hand.

I take it, letting him pull me to my feet. He wraps his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “This is everything,” he murmurs. “You, her, us. This is my whole world.”

Tears well in my eyes as I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I love you, Rafaele.”

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