Page 93 of His to Destroy

Almeria watches us from under a sun umbrella, her book forgotten in her lap, her eyes warm and shining.

Luca leans his head against my chest, yawning.

Then, drowsily, he mumbles, "Thanks, Dad."

The word punches the air out of my lungs.

I freeze, my arms tightening instinctively around him.

He realizes what he said a second later and stiffens.

"I mean... Gaspare," he says quickly, looking up at me with wide, worried eyes. "Sorry."

I stare at him for a moment, heart thudding painfully against my ribs.

Then I cup his small face gently in my hands.

"Hey," I say softly. "You never have to apologize for that."

He blinks.

"You meant it, right?"

He nods shyly.

I smile and press my forehead to his.

"Then it’s real," I whisper. "And if you want... if you’ll let me... I'd be honored to be your dad."

His face lights up so brightly I feel it burn through every dark part of me.

"Really?" he breathes.

"Really," I say.

He throws his arms around my neck and squeezes tight.

"I want you to be my dad," he says fiercely. "Forever."

I close my eyes against the sudden sting of tears.

"Forever," I promise.

I glance up and catch Almeria watching us.

Her hands are clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

But she’s smiling — not a small, timid smile, but a full, radiant one, like the sun breaking through a storm.

And in that moment, everything clicks into place for me.

This is it.

This is family.

Not blood.

Not duty.

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