Page 42 of Ruthless Prince

I have to find a way to save Ellie from her father that doesn’t involve me killing my real father.

I arrive at Nico’s house with the test results. I don’t see the point in hiding it.

“Vincent,” he greets me. “Come in. Aurora is in the kitchen. Would you like to have lunch with us?”

“Actually, there’s something I need to show you first.” I hand him the results.

For a long time, Nico just looks at them. And then he looks at me and then back at the results. “I knew you were him,” he whispers. “I just knew it. Aurora, get in here.”

The moment she enters the foyer, I break down and cry. I’m not even sure why I fucking cry like a baby. This is my mom. I finally found my home.

Nico gives her the test results, and it only takes Aurora a moment to read them before she throws her arms around me in a hug.

“You’re alive,” she whispers. “You were never dead.”

“You’re my mom.”

“You’re my Vincent. Oh, my baby boy. You’re alive.”

We cling to each other for a long time, both of us crying . Eventually, I pull away.

“What do we do now?” I ask.

Nico puts his hand on my back. “Now, you’re part of the family.”

Chapter

Fifteen

VINCENT

“You could stay here with us,” Aurora offers.

“I would like that.”

The smile Aurora gives me makes my heart feel lighter than it ever has before. It’s still strange to think of her as my mom, but I’m trying.

Nico will be harder.

I had a father growing up. Yes, Igor was the man who kidnapped me, but I thought he was my father.

Aurora sets me up in a spare bedroom. “This is just a guest bedroom. Your actual childhood bedroom was in the Italian house we lived in. Nico and I had to leave the States for a while. But then Igor took you, and we eventually came back to New York. Maybe someday, I can take you back to the Italy house and show you your bedroom.”

“I’d like that.” I clear my throat, feeling the urge to cry all over again. I’ve never been a crier, yet I can’t seem to stop the urge from bubbling up.

“I’m glad you’re here, Vincent. We really thought you were dead. We get a second chance.”

“Aurora—”

“You can call me Mom.”

“All right. Uh … Mom, there’s something you should know. I have a wife, Ellie.”

Aurora’s eyes widen. “That’s wonderful. So … do you two live somewhere together? You probably want to stay with her.”

“Actually, we don’t have a home. We live with her father. He can be a bit controlling. Is it all right if I bring Ellie here?”

“I’d love to meet her. And yes, it’s more than fine.”

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