Page 156 of Mafia Don's Secret Twins

So close to seeing my children again.

My girls.

My angels.

So close to being a family.

I turn. I need to ask Dino. “Dino, what…”

“We’re here,” he cuts me off.

Oh.

I try not to be disappointed.

I asked for this, didn’t I? I wanted to go back to the girls.

Dino never promised anything other than that.

Maybe I read too much into it. Maybe he doesn’t want… to be a family with me.

Maybe…

I shut my thoughts down.

All that matters right now is getting back to my girls.

The car door opens, and I run out. I don’t wait for Dino. I don’t wait for Nico. Elio and Gia and Sal are at the front door, but I don’t stop.

I briefly look at Caterina. “The girls?”

She smiles. “Playroom.”

It’s all the encouragement I need.

I fly down the hall, my feet barely touching the ground. Soon, I’m at the playroom door. I push it open, slowly.

“Mamá?”

I can’t see. My eyes are flooded with tears. Words catch in my throat, and I can’t get them out.

I don’t need to.

The girls are in my arms. I’m holdingthem.

I lose myself in the moment.

Time passes, but I have no idea how much. Eventually they wiggle out of my arms, chattering and tugging at my hands, begging me to come see their dolls and their artwork and a million other things.

I follow them.

“Oh good. You made it,” I hear a familiar voice.

I turn, sagging with relief. “Mãe.”

My mother smiles, tugging me in close. “I told you I would find them, didn’t I?”

I don’t have a response. Because instead of using words, I let the tears that I’ve been holding back for weeks loose.

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