Page 161 of The Devil's Fire

“Are you okay? Do you feel sick?”

I got out of his hold and rushed to the bathroom, as I couldn’t keep my nausea down anymore. Hands pulled my hair away from my face as I puked my guts out. I already knew it was Damiano. It had become his new job to do so whenever I felt sick.

I washed up and went to lie on the couch, feeling stressed and exhausted. The two of them wanting to kill each other wasn’t helping one bit.

My mother sighed.

“Already having bad morning sickness?”

“I don’t know if it’s morning sickness, or if it’s because you two are making me upset and stressed to the point I feel sick.” I spat out, letting them know how pissed I was.

Damiano placed a hand on my forehead and frowned.

“You’re hot. We should get you to a doctor.”

“She doesn’t need a doctor. She just threw up. It’s fine.” My mother said, which earned a glare from Damiano, and she glared right back at him.

“If you don’t stop, I will make sure neither one of you will see me for the rest of your lives!” I yelled, which caught their attention. Their eyes narrowed with disapproval as I made my threat.

I took a deep breath and rubbed my stomach.

“Ice cream helped with my nausea. Maybe it will help you too?” My mother suggested.

“I will get you some.” Damiano said and turned to leave. Suddenly, he paused and glanced back at my mother.

“What kind?”

“Low-fat. Also, vitamins and some ginger help too. Hold on, let me write you a list.” She gestured for him to follow her, and they both disappeared into the kitchen.

“What the fuck?” I sat up and stared at their retreating forms. One minute they were ready to kill each other, and the next they were making a grocery list.

I lay back down and placed a hand up to my head.

“I think I’m going crazy…”

“Why are you helping when you’re so unhappy about me being pregnant?” I asked my mother after she had sent Damiano away with a list.

“The way we had left things… I’m not proud of it.” She admitted. “The need to protect you took over, not having me think clearly. I kept thinking about you and…him. Try to understand where I’m coming from as well. He is the most dangerous and feared man. Knowing he has taken a liking to you, and now you’re pregnant with his child… It made me panic.” Her eyes narrowed as she spoke.

Her words guilt-tripped me because I hadn’t considered her perspective. Spending time with Damiano, I have witnessed his gentle and caring side, which often made me forget the fearsome reputation he held.

“To have a baby, it’s a blessing, regardless. I’m just concerned that it’s with him.”

“Mom, I understand, I do. But he cares about me. If I thought he would hurt me, I wouldn’t be with him.” I explained.

“If he cared about you, he shouldn’t be keeping you in the dark. That’s not making me want to trust him at all.” My mother frowned.

“I know he doesn’t tell me everything. He has several times made it clear to me he doesn’t want me to get involved. If you could just give him a chance and get to know him, I think you will like him.” I said with a smile. It was a long shot, but hell, I just needed them to tolerate each other and get along.

“Just please, don’t make me choose between the two of you.” Tears welled up in my eyes, and a lump formed in my throat.

My mother pulled me into a tight hug, and I couldn’t help but let out a sob as I had longed for her comfort.

“My sweet Althaia, as a mother, it’s my job to protect you. But it’s also my job to make sure you’re happy.” She wiped my tears away. Her eyes were glistening too as she gave me a small smile.

“I am happy. I really am. But I don’t want to do this without you. I need you.” I sniffed.

“I know, honey. You’re having a baby… I can’t believe you’re already making me a grandma.” She chuckled and embraced me again.

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