Page 110 of The Hitman's Secret Baby
For a second, there's confusion, then the slow dawning of something as he realizes the similarities in bone structure, the shape of Enzo's eyes, the half-light within them, perhaps.
Everything in me tightens.
Gabriel stares.
Enzo stands slowly, uncertain.
This man who has carved fear into the spines of the worst criminals in Valleria suddenly looks like he's standing at the edge of something infinitely more dangerous.
"Mom?" Gabriel's voice is small. "Is he…is he my dad?"
The world halts. My heart lurches. I open my mouth to answer, but Enzo is already kneeling before him, eyes soft but steady.
"I'm Enzo," he says. "And I'm here because I should never have left. Because I should've found a way sooner. Because I want to know you, if you'll let me."
Gabriel doesn't move at first.
Then, to my astonishment, he walks forward and wraps his arms around Enzo's neck.
"You're really tall," he mumbles.
Enzo lets out something between a breath and a laugh, his arms closing gently around our son. "And you're braver than I'll ever be."
I turn away for a second, pretending to fix a mug on the kitchen counter, but what I'm really doing is hiding the way my throat burns and my hands shake.
I never imagined this moment.
Not like this.
We have breakfast. Or rather, Gabriel and I do.
Enzo manages a few bites of the eggs I make, the ones Gabriel likes with cheese and herbs, but mostly he watches.
Watches Gabriel talk about his favorite books.
Watches the way I refill his milk glass and ruffle his hair.
When the plates are cleared and the quiet stretches a little longer than it should, Enzo turns to Gabriel.
"Would you like to come with me? There's a plane. It's safe. But only if your mom comes too."
Gabriel blinks. Looks at me. Then back at Enzo.
"Only if she comes," he says firmly.
Enzo looks at me. And this time, there's no fear, no hunger, no hardness in his eyes. Just love. Just hope.
I nod once, and the boy beside me beams.
We pack lightly. I don't need reminders of this place.
I already carry too many. Enzo books the flight on a secure line.
The car comes just as the sun climbs higher.
I hold Gabriel's hand as we walk onto the plane, and Enzo sits opposite us, never looking away.
The estate looms as we arrive in Nuova Speranza.
