Page 97 of The Don's Soulmate

"Take all the time you need," he replies, his concern evident even through the wooden barrier between us.

I turn back to the counter, staring at the little sticks that will determine our fate. My heart pounds wildly, hope and fear twisting into a tangled knot inside me.

The deafening silence in the bathroom amplifies every breath I take, each exhale echoing off the cold tile walls. "Carlotta?" Ettore's voice penetrates the silence, sounding impatient and eager. "Do you have the results?"

I hesitate, turning to the tests. "Just a second," I manage to whisper, my throat dry and constricted.

“Sure,” he says, resigned to waiting outside.

"Thank you," I breathe out, grateful for his presence but needing to be alone for this moment.

As the seconds tick by like hours, I force my gaze back to the tests on the counter. My heart pounds wildly in my chest, the rhythm erratic and frenzied. With one final deep breath, I summon the courage to look at the results.

This is it. The moment of truth.

I take a deep breath and look down at the tests.

Two pink lines stare back at me. Positive.

My breath catches in my throat as the truth sinks in. I'm pregnant.

Chapter 46

Ettore

I pace back and forth in the hallway outside the bathroom, my hands clenched together in fists. Each step falls heavier than the last, until I forget what the hell I’m pacing for. Nothing I do seems to help, not when the thought of impending fatherhood consumes my mind.

"Damn it," I mutter under my breath, waiting anxiously for news that could change everything. My mind races with thoughts of what life will be like if the test results come back positive; the responsibility, the constant worry, the need to protect my family at all costs.

And despite all the downsides, a small part of me hopes for there to be a child. It’s a privilege I never had in any lifetime before, and this one baby could break the generations long curse that’s haunted us through eternity.

Just then, Sofia appears at the end of the hallway. Her presence, like a lighthouse guiding a lost ship through stormy waters, brings some semblance of calm to my raging emotions. She glides toward me, her eyes understanding.

"Ettore," she says softly, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "Take a deep breath. Everything will be alright."

My shoulders tense at her touch, but I can't help but feel a small measure of relief. Inhaling deeply, I let out a shaky exhale and nod in gratitude. Sofia squeezes my arm reassuringly before stepping back and disappearing, giving me space to process my thoughts.

I can't take it anymore. I’ve asked twice already and received no news. The seconds tick by like hours, and the silence in the hallway is suffocating. My fingers twitch with the need for action, my mouth dry with anticipation.

"Damn it!" I growl under my breath, slamming my fist against the door. "What's taking so long, Carlotta? Are you okay? I need to know!"

"I’m alright, Ettore," Carlotta's trembling voice answers from behind the door. "I'm coming."

As the door opens, I see her standing there, her eyes wide with nervous anticipation. Her hands are clasped tightly together, betraying the fear she's trying to hide. She's afraid, and that realization sends a shiver down my spine. I've always been theone to protect her, to keep her safe, to know her thoughts before she voices them. But now...

I need to hear it from her.

"Tell me," I demand, my voice cracking with impatience.

Carlotta swallows hard, her eyes darting away from mine before she finally speaks. "It's... positive. I'm pregnant."

The weight of her words hits me like a ton of bricks, but instead of crushing me as I'd feared, it lights a fire within me. My heart races, not with panic, but with fierce determination. This is my child,our child.

I break into a beaming smile and let out a whoop.

Our eyes lock and relief washes over her features. Suddenly, I'm gathering her in my arms. “We’re having a baby,” I whisper into her neck.“Ours.”

"The baby will be alright," she whispers.

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