Page 110 of Redemption

I’ve cried myself to sleep most nights the last six months. I barely leave the house except for taking Aria to practice and games or when I need groceries. I finally accepted my parents’ inheritance, my self-deprecation keeping me from doing anything for myself.

I should have bought Magda and Salvatore’s restaurant. Should have kept their dream alive. They were like grandparents to Aria. Magda the closest thing to a mother to me. But I let their dream die with them. To this day, the place is still boarded up, no one wanting to purchase it.

Dante calls me every now and then to check on me. He keeps me informed that Giancarlo is still in a coma and that he has taken his seat as Don for the time being. Our calls always short. He may have helped me but he still isn’t my family. The only family I have left is Aria.

“Mama,” Aria sings as she skips into my room and stands in the doorway to the balcony. “I finished my homework. Can I go practice in the yard?”

I look at my phone, she still has an hour before bed. “Go ahead, sweetie.”

She turns to leave but pauses. “Are you okay, Mama?”

I nod.

“You’ve been sad for a while. Is it because Magda died?”

I clench my jaw to hold back tears. “I’ll always be sad about that.”

“Are you sad about Kilian? I know you really liked him. I miss him too. I wish he would come around.”

Tears crest my eyes and I turn my head away from Aria to wipe them away. “We chose different paths. We have different lives to live.”

Her next words shock me. “But he’s my dad. He should still come around for me at least.”

“What?” I shriek. “How… who…”

She shrugs. “No one told me if that’s what you’re asking. I just know it. Our eyes are the same.”

“A lot of people have blue eyes.”

“Yeah, but his are special. Just like mine. Not to mention that woman in London nearly cried every time she looked at me. And she told me she was Kilian’s mom.”

I have no words to say. I am completely shocked because I never thought she knew. She never said a word when she met him or anything the last few months.

“I really wish I could see him again. You know?” she says. “Just to tell him I think it’s cool he’s my dad.”

“Aria…”

“I know you didn’t tell me for a reason, Mom. And maybe one day you will.”

I watch her as she walks away. I am in complete shock. Her words rang with maturity and my heart breaks for her. She’s right, I never should have kept him from her.

Later that night, after I polished off two bottles of wine, I do the stupidest thing I could think of. I dig in my nightstand drawer and pull out the old burner phone. I stare at it for ten minutes before I plug it in and power it on and type out a text.

Bella: I was wrong. I’m so sorry.

I clutch the phone to my chest, waiting for a response that never comes.

* * *

I drop my purse on the end table near the front door and carry my bag of groceries into the kitchen. I just dropped Aria off at football practice and I should really get dinner started.

I pull the burner phone out of the kitchen drawer I stashed it in earlier and frown when I see no text. Not that I should be surprised. It’s been two weeks since I sent that drunken text to him. Two weeks with nothing in return. He probably doesn’t even have the phone anymore. He did what I asked and forgot about me, shut me out for good.

I shove the phone back in the drawer then empty my grocery bag. I walk over to the refrigerator and put the milk and chicken away. I nearly jump out of my shoes when I shut the door and find Kilian standing on the other side.

“W-what are you doing here?” I stumble over my words as I hold my hands to my chest. My heart rate picking up quickly.

“You texted me,” he says. His voice is gravelly and rich.

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