Page 77 of The Bonus

“Hi.” She smiles happily as she takes my hand in hers and swings it back and forth, damn it, why is she so friendly?

“Hello,” Gabriel replies coolly. “What is your name?”

“Lucia.”

Gabriel’s jaw clenches as he stares at her. With her dark Italian features, she is undeniably nothing like me. My eyes well with tears, knowing that his anger is going to be ruthless.

Fuck.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

“What is your surname?” he replies to her.

Lucy smiles proudly as she swings my hand back and forth. “Porter.”

Gabriel’s murderous eyes meet mine.

He knows.

My skin crawls with fear…

“Go in the house, baby,” I whisper.

“What?” She frowns up at me.

“In the house,” I snap more urgently. “Ballet isn’t on today, I just found out. Go in the house now.”

“But…”

“Lucia. Now.”

Lucy shrugs sadly and then waves at Gabriel. “Bye.” She turns and walks back into the house, he doesn’t take his eyes off her as she disappears. As she walks through the door, his eyes meet mine.

“Is she…”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“How could you?” he whispers angrily.

“Gabriel…” I whisper through tears. “Please, you need to leave.”

“You think you can hide my fucking child from me?” he growls.

My worst nightmare is coming to life.

“You need to leave,” I spit.

“I will do no such thing,” he yells as he loses all control.

I screw up my face in tears. “Stop it.”

“Don’t you,” a little voice yells as it pushes him away from me. “Leave my mom alone.”

Gabriel turns and sees the furious little boy who has seemingly come out of nowhere.

His face falls when he sees the miniature version of himself.

“This is Dominic,” I whisper. “Lucia’s twin brother.”

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