Page 75 of Promise to Break

"Nothing." She and I know what she's talking about. After all, Daddy Dearest told me everything about the day I was born, time and again.

Serena was the one who held me for the first time after my father refused to even touch me. She fed me from a bottle, and she took care of me for the longest time. I can't even imagine how it feels to hold her own baby, knowing that everything will be different.

The nurse clears her throat. "I think the mother and father need some alone time. You all can come back later. This baby girl is lucky with so many loving people around her," she adds as she ushers us out. I want to hold the baby, to kiss her chubby cheeks. She's so tiny. I wonder if it's because she was born prematurely, and fresh concern tries to creep in again.

"She's okay. They both are." Here he is. My monster, my bully.

"She's just like you, and not just in looks," I say, because I have to.

"Let's hope you're wrong."

I smile at that. At least Killian knows who he is.

He breaks what feels like the longest silence when he says, "I imagine you'll want to stay at the mansion for a few days."

"I would, but I don't know if I can. I have to do some things. But yes, I would love to be with Connie for a few days."

"Good, because Franco called the school. We have one week at the Fierro home."

"Don't even think about it," I begin, seeing the heat in his eyes clear as day. It makes my mouth go dry and sends the moisture south. I'm in a hospital, for fuck's sake. Yeah, the same hospital where he fucked you with his mouth and fingers.

"We can't," I say again with more conviction in my voice, just to see him roll his eyes in an attempt to mimic me.

"Let me guess. We can't fuck like bunnies in my home because you don't want everyone to know about what I do to your sweet cunt? I must say, Little Girl, you're predictable as fuck when it comes to certain things."

"And I see nothing wrong with that. I'd rather be predictable than do reckless things that will hurt people I care for." His hands cup my cheeks, coaxing me to look at him.

"No one will know that I fuck you. Don't worry, Little Girl. I can keep it in my pants for a week." His kiss on my nose has me wondering if I can keep it in my pants.

Chapter thirty

Maricela

I'm conflicted about coming back to the mansion. I love every moment I spend with Serena and my little angel. And she is an angel. No one can tell me otherwise.

Santino comes home early to help with his daughter, and I admit I didn't expect it from him. He looks happy. Everybody does except for Franco. He hasn't said anything offensive, and his smiles are painted on as always, but an ominous feeling hangs in the air that causes my gut to twist with dread every time he puts his hands on Connie while looking at me.

"You look happy," he said yesterday at dinner, all smiles. I hate those smiles.

"I am. Serena is healthy, and your grandchild is a doll." I may or may not have poked the bear a bit, but the asshole didn't even acknowledge Connie's existence at the time.

"Hmm," was his response.

"Your mama is getting a bath. You're too demanding, Angelito," I sing to the baby in a soothing voice. My angel isn't a crybaby, but she is fussy, demanding food and hugs all the time.

"Stop calling her that," Serena says, coming into the room. "Her name is beautiful." It is, and not only because it's the name of our late mother. It's also beautiful because it means that she's a constant in our lives and our hearts.

"I don't call her that because I don't like her name. I call her an angel because she is."

Serena looks exhausted, even with makeup on. "I told you that you could wake me if you wanted. I'll take care of her." Serena had a problem with her milk, so the little one had to start taking a bottle from the second day of her life. Serena has been visibly upset since then. "You're going back to school in four days, Mari. I need to get used to it."

She's right. I know she is, but still, I don't want to miss a moment. "At least Santino is with you." A faraway look that I haven't seen on her since she got married flashes in her eyes but disappears as soon as it comes, and her lips tilt upward almost automatically. She must be tired as fuck, and I imagine the memories are fucking with her head, too. Any normal sister would say something, but I don't know how or what to say, so I say nothing.

"I do have some homework I need to get done," I say, because that's what she needs to hear. Good job, Maricela.

"Oh?"

"We have to make a portfolio about poverty." A nod is all I get in return. Serena doesn't like to think about those days. She erased her past the second she walked down the aisle.

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