Page 271 of The Bonus

“Before you say anything, I have a few things I want to say to you…preferably before Mark gets back from wherever he is,” I tell her.

She goes to say something and I cut her off.

“Firstly, I would like to apologize for telling you that you will never see the children. It’s not okay under any circumstances to threaten you with that.” I shrug. “I don’t know why I said it, and it’s not something I would ever do. I regretted it the moment the words left my lips. They are your grandchildren, and you can see them whenever you want to.”

“Listen . . .”

“Secondly.” I cut her off again. “I don’t blame you for hating me. In fact, I’ve thought long and hard about this and I put myself in your position, and if Dominic did what Gabriel has done, I wouldn’t handle it well either. I probably would have gone more postal, if I’m being honest.”

A frown flashes across her face.

Dominic runs over and her eyes roam over him, her face falls when she sees the resemblance to his father. “This is Dominic,” I say. “Dominic, this is your dad’s mother.”

“Nonna,” she whispers.

Dominic smiles up at her. “Hello.”

I wave Lucia over and she skips over with a big smile. “Lucia, this is your grandmother, Nonna.”

“Hi.” Lucia frowns up at her.

“Your dad’s mom.”

“Oh.” She smiles up at her, all starstruck.

“Mrs. Ferrara,” Mark snaps urgently. “What are you…?”

“It’s fine, Mark,” I tell him.

“I have strict instructions from Mr. Ferrara,” he stammers.

“Mr. Ferrara isn’t here,” I reply sternly.

“You need to leave,” Mark says to a man who is standing close by. My eyes flick to him, I didn’t see him standing there before…the penny drops, oh, he’s her bodyguard.

“È ora di andare,” he says to her. (“We should go”.)

“Dammi un minuto,” she replies. (“Give me a minute.”)

Dominic looks between them. “Dove vai?” (“Where are you going?”)

Her mouth falls open and she steps forward. “Parli italiano?” (“You speak Italian?”)

“Sì.” (“Yes.”)

Her eyes rise to search mine.

“I tried to prepare them the best that I could.” I shrug. “I wanted them to know and appreciate their heritage.”

Her chest rises and falls as if she’s struggling to breathe.

“Grace, I must insist,” Mark says as he holds his hand out for me.

“Say goodbye to Nonna,” I tell the children.

“Arrivederci, Nonna,” Dominic says.

“Bye.” Lucia smiles with a little wave.

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