Page 78 of The Deal

She retakes her seat on the side of the bed and looks down at the cover of the book in her hand. “All the things we do,” she reads before turning to the first page.

My throat gets tighter the further she gets into the story. The plot begins with the little boy thinking of all the fun things he wants to do with his mum, from making art together, baking cookies, reading stories, and going on nature walks to imaginative play like pretending to besuperheroes or astronauts. Each page showcases a different activity that brings them closer together, and I already know that this is not the kind of relationship Giovanni has with Sophia.

Is this why he tries to fit so much into the one day he has with me?

In the evenings, when I drop him off at his mother’s, I’m always drained, yet I never deny him a single request. He never asks for toys or treats; he always wants my time the most.

I feel like the shittiest father for not realising how much my little boy has been suffering.

When Chloe closes the book, she reaches out to stroke the side of his face. “Are these the kinds of things you do with your mum?” she asks.

I already know the answer to this, but I brace myself for his response anyway.

He shrugs. “She’s always too busy.”

“Naww, I’m sorry to hear that, little man,” Chloe says, pouting. “How about we make a list in the morning of all the fun things we can do while we are at the cabin, and we can mark them off one by one?”

When his face lights up, I have to turn away. My heart is heavy as I make my way back to the room and take a seat on the side of the bed, burying my head in my hands. That woman has a lot to answer for.

By the time Chloe returns to our room, her expression mirrors the sombre heaviness I feel inside. “Some people don’t deserve kids,” she says, taking a seat beside me.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Chapter 26

Alexander

Ican barely stomach any breakfast. It feels like the weight of the world is pressing down on me with everything that’s going on right now. Not just the mess with my family or what I overheard between Chloe and Giovanni last night, but all the things I still have to sort out before we leave … it’s too much. My to-do list is as long as my fucking arm.

Antonio is staying behind to try to keep the businesses afloat in my absence, though at this point, I don’t even know how long we’ll be gone. I really resent my father for putting me in this position.

Chloe is sitting at the table with Giovanni. I heard her ask Carmella for a pen and paper as I excused myself from the table, bringing my coffee into my office. I assume they’re working on their list, and part of me can’t help but feel a strange satisfaction seeing Chloe step up to give my son something his useless mother never could.

Time is free.

Sophia doesn’t work, she doesn’t have to; I fund their entire lifestyle. So the fact that she can’t give him moments—even small ones—things he’ll likely treasure when he’s older, makes me livid.

I’m done being her keeper. Things are going to change when we get back, or I’m cutting her off. I’ll always provide for my son … that will never change, but it’s time I drew a line in the sand where she is concerned. I’m sick of being taken advantage of.

I glance up from my laptop when there’s a knock on my office door. Despite my inner turmoil, I smile when I see it’s Chloe. “Come,” I say, pushing my chair back from the desk and tapping my opened hand on my upper thigh.

As soon as she is in reach, I drag her down onto my lap. “I know you have a lot to organise before we leave, but do you think it would be possible for one of your men to go out and get some things for Giovanni? I have a comprehensive list.”

“Comprehensive,” I say, chuckling.

“I’m quickly learning that you Mancini men never do anything by halves.”

I almost respond with, “It’s in our genetic makeup,” but catch myself when that sudden realisation hits home once again. We don’t share the same bloodline. It’s like a recurring nightmare I can’t wake up from.

I lean in and nuzzle my face into the crook of her neck. “For you,amore mio, and Giovanni, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.” I pluck the piece of paper from her hand and place it on my desk. “Leave it with me.”

“Thank you. I know this situation isn’t ideal, but I’m actually kind of excited about our extended stay at the cabin.”

I wish I could say the same.

I’ll enjoy my time with them both, but I can’t shake that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that something terrible is about to happen.

Two hours later, and after a tearful goodbye from Carmella, we are ready to take off.

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