Page 106 of Matteo

“How did you know?” He’s stunned.

“Because it’s very much your grandfather. He wouldn’t have wanted anyone aware of what was going on with him.”

His sigh is from the bottom of his lungs. “He was adamant. I hated not telling anyone. If it weren’t for having you and the wedding to focus on, I probably would have.”

The timer he set goes off. His long arm reaches out for the test. My stomach flips a dozen times at the smile on his face. I’m in his arms with him squeezing me tight.

“Thank you. I can’t wait for our next daughter. I might be the one with money, but you have shown me not a single dollar made me rich. It wasn’t until you and Layla that I truly felt rich, rich.”

Matteo’s adoption of Layla was signed off by a judge last week. We decided to change her birth certificate after we found out Danny died in jail. His parents refused to bail him out again. So he was held in Dallas for the charges against him for hitting Matteo. He was supposed to be moved back to Temple, but before it happened, the idiot went up against a man who might have been smaller but was more than willing to make up for it with his fists. I felt awful…because the relief outweighed any sadness I thought I would feel.

“I would like to tell Mom you’re pregnant today. Is that okay? I think it would help her through the day.”

Today is Luis’s funeral. I’m not looking forward to it. We’ve already made the decision that I would go with him to the church service but would not go to the graveside. Layla didn’t understand what was going on and was being clingy.

“Okay, if you think it would be good for her.” Anything to help Elizabeth. She was clearly under strain.

I still feel bad we missed Luis’s passing. We were on the plane back to Dallas when we got the call Luis collapsed. Sadly, he was dead before we landed.

The church is packed with people. I recognize the mayor, a senator, and even the governor is among the crowd.

Through it all, Elizabeth holds her head high and her spine straight. She stays far away from her ex-husband, though. I had no idea she filed for divorce the day after our wedding, and it was signed off by a judge two days ago. None of his sons are near him. And I wonder what’s going on, but don’t dare ask.

It isn’t until Matteo comes home late that I find out.

“Rafe is selling the entire company except what’s in Texas?” I’m stunned.

Sighing, he sinks onto the couch and pulls me into his lap. “Yes. It’s been nothing but a heavy weight around his neck for years. The business here in Texas is more than enough to keep us in the billion-dollar sphere. It will hardly make anyone destitute if he sells it off. My father is angry and doesn’t want Rafe to sell. He swears if Rafe does then he leaves. Rafe is fine with that.”

“Are you okay with that?”

He shrugs. “Hell yeah. Rafe has been responsible for everything for far too long. It’s long past time he enjoyed life a little more—actually went on a vacation or two. Whatever he wants, I’m good with it.”

“And Javier?” I’m curious.

“Oh yeah, he’s happy. The only one who isn’t is Santos. It means he must decide if he’s returning to Dallas for good.”

“He might not want to?”

“I think he’s worried Mom will focus on him now for marriage and settling down and he’s not ready for it all yet.”

Running my hand over Matteo’s chest. “Hm, maybe we can keep Elizabeth busy and her focus off him.”

For the first time since we got back, he chuckles. “Mom has a way of multi-tasking that has me doubting we could keep her busy enough for Santos.”

“Or we can find him a fake girlfriend.”

Throwing his head back, he laughs loudly. “I deserve that. It was her idea to tell you I needed a fake girlfriend. She might see through it.”

“Maybe, and maybe his fake girlfriend will become real the same way we did.”

“Maybe. Come on, Mrs. Castillo, you should be in bed resting.”

EPILOGUE

Two years later

Amy

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