Page 76 of His Son's Ex

Linda starts to retort, but Isabella silences her with a raised palm. She turns her gaze to me and makes an abrupt announcement. “We also have reason to believe that Eva will soon provide Dante with another heir.”

My heart lodges in my throat. Did she just announce my pregnancy?

The room falls silent. Linda’s face twists in shock then outrage. Luca’s eyes widen as Sarah’s mouth drops open. Dante stiffens beside me, anger radiating from him as he levels a furious glare at his mother. I swallow hard, feeling my cheeks burn.

Luca recovers first. “Wait, you got myex-girlfriendpregnant?” He practically chokes on the words. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Sarah’s eyes dart between Dante and me, her mouth still wide open. Linda sneers, letting out an acidic laugh. “Well, isn’t that convenient? She’s really making sure she secures her place here, isn’t she? She couldn’t satisfy Luca, so she hopped into bed with his father.”

Before I can say a word, Dante shoots back, “You will do well to watch your mouth or that stroll down Broadway can be arranged.”

Linda recoils and leans back in her chair, a smug grin on her face. Shots fired.

Dante turns to his mother. “Mother, that was not your secret to share.”

Isabella raises an eyebrow. “Such secrets only breed more chaos in a family already feuding with animosity. Better to put it all out on the table.”

A chill runs down my spine. What am I getting into?

Linda rises from the table and storms off, her stilettos clacking against the marble like gunfire.

Luca and Sarah exchange a glance before Luca mutters, “I need some air.” He gets up and follows his mother, a blank expression on his face. Sarah hesitates, watching me with a flicker of disdain, or perhaps pity, then silently slips after them.

Dante’s uncles also rise, each murmuring their own excuses. In seconds, the table empties, leaving me alone with Dante and Isabella. My chest feels tight, like I’ve just gone through an emotional spin cycle.

Dante’s jaw is still set, furious. Isabella looks almost bored by the drama, resting her hands gently on the table. “You can thank me later,” she says dryly.

“Thankyou?” Dante growls. “You blindsided us.”

Isabella lifts a shoulder. “You were going to keep it a secret. That only invites rumors. Better to deal with it head-on, no matter how messy.” She glances at me, her expression softer. “I apologize if this caused you distress, Eva. But it’s for the best.”

I’m too stunned to respond. I manage a nod, my heart hammering in my chest.

Isabella stands, smoothing her dress. “We’ll talk about business later. For now, do yourselves a favor and get some rest. You’re both under a lot of stress.”

She sweeps out, leaving Dante and me alone in the now suffocating dining room. He exhales sharply, raking a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he mutters. “My mother does what she wants.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, I’m gathering that.” I glance at the door Linda stormed through. “They’re all going to hate me. Even more than they already do.”

His eyes fill with concern. “I’m sorry,” he repeats, stepping closer. “I never wanted you to feel attacked, or for them to find out this way.”

I try to muster a reassuring smile. “I appreciate that, I do. Maybe it’s better that it’s in the open now. No more secrets, right?”

Dante looks at me as if to say,well maybe just the one… then reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. “Let’s get you back to the room. You need to rest. We’ll deal with Linda and Luca later.”

“I agree. I think I’ve hit my drama quota for the day.”

He offers a faint smirk. “Welcome to the family, Eva.”

As we walk, I can’t help noticing the tension in Dante’s posture, the protective way he keeps me close to his side. My thoughts tumble like laundry: Linda’s scorn, Isabella’s meddling, Luca’s hostility. But also, Dante’s determination to shield me from all of it.

I cling to that, because as much as I feel out of place in this mansion, surrounded by a family that sees me as an intruder,I’m still carrying Dante’s child. That alone ties me to him, whether I’m ready or not. My heart thrums with a mix of fear and fragile hope.

When we reach our suite, Dante lingers in the doorway. “You sure you’ll be okay if I go get some work done?”

I take a deep breath, letting the tension drain from my shoulders. “I’ll be fine. I might just call it a night and pray that tomorrow doesn’t throw even bigger bombs at us.”

He grins before leaning in to press a tender kiss to my temple. “If you need me, you know where I am.”

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