Page 30 of The Doctor's Promise
Noemi smiled down the phone. “You are the most wonderful man,” she said softly. “How’s Bepi?”
“He’s fine, excited because his feckless uncle is here.” She could hear the resentment in Rafa’s voice.
“Is he really that bad?”
“In the scheme of things, no. But that’s the right word: scheme. Zani’s blown his share of the trust fund, and now he wants money. He’s asking for a job.”
“And you don’t want to employ him?”
Rafa sighed. “If I don’t, he’ll go to Dad and leech from him until Dad’s broke. At least if I give Zani something to do, I can make sure he does it.”
“But?”
“I don’t trust him, Noe. There’s something going on with him I’m not getting. Ah, Jesus. I’m sick of talking about Zani. I miss you.”
Noemi chuckled. “Me too, baby. Listen, after the funeral, I’ll have more time for us. I’m taking some personal time.”
“Then if your family can spare you, maybe we could get away, just the two of us.”
“I’d like that.”
She saidgood night and sat outside for a while longer, trying to breathe in as much fresh air as she could. It had been a hellish few years, but this was the worse feeling yet. She had to trust in what Rafa was telling her—that it would become bearable if not healed. At the moment, she couldn’t see how.
Noemi didn’t seethe man watching her from the street across from the house. He took in the soft curves of her figure, the sweetness of her face, even as sad as she looked. She was lovely, truly lovely.
It was such a shame she was involved with the Genova family.
“What a waste,” he whispered to himself. “What a truly shameful waste. Run, beautiful girl. Run far away from that family before it destroys you.”
15
Chapter Fifteen
Noemi ripped another package open and drew out the small plastic stick. The third one in less than a half hour. This couldn’t be happening—not now, not today of all days. She did the test again, lining it up on the sink with the last two and waited.
The telltale second blue line showed up again. “Oh, no, no, no…”
Pregnant. How the fuck had this happened? She gave a hollow laugh. Really, Doc? You need a biology lesson? She was on birth control, yes, but she knew as well as anyone it didn’t always work and now… now she was pregnant with Rafael Genova’s child.
And she’d found out the day, the very day her beloved nephew was being buried. Oh God…
“Noe? You done in there? I’m about to pee myself.”
Noemi swept the pregnancy tests and the packaging into her purse and zipped it, flushing the toilet. “Sorry, boo. Daydreaming.”
Leo, who looked more together than Noemi had expected, smiled at her as she went to the sink to wash her hands. “Same old Noe.”
“Always.” Noemi waited until Leo had used the bathroom and followed her sister out, her mind whirling. Forget it for today. One day will make no difference. Today is just about Jack.
“Noe, I wanted to say before we go down, that you chose the funeral home perfectly. Jack looks like he’s sleeping. Thank you… thank you.”
Noemi’s eyes filled with tears, and she hugged her sister tightly. “He is so beautiful, Leo. And you were the best mom. He was so happy all his life, and that was because of you.”
Leonora’s tears were flowing freely. “I always wondered if I did him a disservice by not keeping his father in his life.”
“It was just the opposite. Although Paul was a good man, he wasn’t a father. Jack didn’t need anyone else but you.”
“And you and Mom and Dad. I could never have done it without you.” Leonora sighed. “Paul’s here, you know. He’s broken up.” She gave a sob.
