Page 168 of The Devil's Fire

Finally, she looked up and stopped in her tracks. She looked at Lorenzo first and then at Arianna, confusion written all over her face.

“Mamá!” Cara called excitedly, making my mom look at her and gasp in surprise.

“Cara, my love!” My mother opened her arms and hugged Cara tightly.

“You see what I mean with her being the favorite child? I didn’t even get half of that when I came back home.” I joked to Arianna. She chuckled and patted my back to comfort me, making me let out a small laugh.

I knew my mother loved us both equally. She just showed it more toward Cara since she rarely saw her. It didn’t bother me because Cara didn’t have a parent who showed her love the way my mother did.

“Look at you! My beautiful Cara.” My mother leaned back to look at Cara with a big smile, her eyes twinkling with happiness. “When did you get here?”

“Couple of hours ago. Thought we would make a surprise visit for Thaia.” Cara explained, making my mother look back at Arianna and Lorenzo with slightly raised brows. “And since I’m getting married soon, I thought you should meet my fiancé, Lorenzo.”

“I see. Hello.” She gave a smile to Lorenzo without stepping closer to him. Lorenzo gave a curt nod in return with his blank face. Not that I was expecting him to smile back.

“And I’m Arianna.” She went up to my mother to give a handshake with a big smile on her face. “I’m the younger sister and also the prettiest one.” Arianna grinned, making my mother chuckle at her comment.

“Nice to meet you.” My mother shook her hand and observed everyone carefully.

I didn’t know whether I should be annoyed with the way she was looking at them or if I should try to be more understanding. Damiano and Lorenzo were both very tall, intimidating men, and together, they were taking the word terrifying to another level.

“How long are you staying?” My mother asked Cara, giving her a soft smile as she spoke.

“Just a few days before we have to go back. There are still things I need to get done before the wedding.” Cara explained and talked about the wedding.

“How about you all come to dinner tonight?” My mother asked, making me look at her in surprise. “Since we’re all going to be family, there is no reason we shouldn’t get to know each other.” She smiled, and her gaze lingered on me and Damiano for a little while longer.

“That would be lovely!” Arianna replied on behalf of everyone, and Cara talked about the type of food she wanted as she had missed her cooking.

“It’s settled then. Althaia, let’s close so we can do grocery shopping and prepare for dinner.”

I pulled Damiano slightly away from the rest and waited for them to exit the boutique. My mother went downstairs to lock up anything important in the safe, as she usually did before we closed.

“I was thinking maybe we should keep the pregnancy to ourselves for now? It’s still too early to tell anyone, and I want to make sure everything is fine.”

“Why? Do you feel something is wrong?” Damiano’s body tensed and placed a hand on my stomach. My eyes widened a bit because I didn’t realize my words had come out as if something was wrong.

“No, nothing’s wrong! I just meant we can tell them after we have been to my doctor’s appointment.” I said quickly. The tension from his shoulders slowly disappeared when I reassured him I was fine.

“That’s fine. Whatever you want.” He gave me a small smile.

“Oh, and also, can you at least try to get along with my mom tonight?” I gave him my best innocent, sweet look.

“Get along with your mom?” He raised a brow, not liking the idea.

“You keep glaring at her. Can you stop doing that? She’s my mom and your baby’s grandmother. So please, try not to kill each other tonight.” I pleaded.

Damiano looked at me for a while, saying nothing, making me think he was going to dismiss the whole idea.

“…Fine.” He sighed with a frown.

“Thank you! I love you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

“Only for you, my love.” He muttered against my lips.

“I know.” I chuckled.

Hopefully, it will be a peaceful dinner with my mother.

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