Page 121 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don
"Not this one.” If there’s one thing I know for sure, Marco isn’t going to change his stance on having a family.
"Then you have some decisions to make, but whatever you decide, you won't face it alone. I promise you that." She squeezes my arm, and it’s reassuring.
“Is that what happened to you? The father didn’t want children?”
Elena shifts, her expression guarded. "He didn’t want me. He betrayed me, so… he doesn’t know.”
Oh. In some ways, her confession makes me feel better because I know that the best thing for me to do would be to not tell Marco.
What would be the point?
He doesn’t want a family or kids. He’d just be tormented.
Sure, one could argue he has a responsibility, but I don’t need his money.
And I’m not interested in dealing with his reaction or coparenting with a man who resents me and his kid.
"The hardest part was the fear," Elena continues. "Not just of being a mother, but wondering how to do it alone, especially when I learned I was having triplets.” She lets out a laugh. “Oh, my God, that day was the hardest.”
That was six years ago. I’d been in law school so while I was aware of Elena’s situation, I wasn’t around. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t be. I was excited to see you going off, doing things women in our world aren’t allowed to do.”
I nod, knowing my father indulged me in ways other Dons wouldn’t have.
It makes me wonder about the baby and whether it’s a girl.
I want her to have all the freedoms and advantages possible, which would be difficult if Marco is revealed as the father.
“Is it hard for the kids, not knowing their father?”
Elena's eyes widen slightly. "Is that what you're considering?"
"I'm considering everything, including disappearing for a while."
Elena is quiet for a long moment. "Sometimes, I feel bad that my kids don’t have a father, but Dom does a lot for them, so they have a father-figure. I know the kids will have questions and at this point, I can’t give them answers.” She turns her gaze away from me, and I get the sense she feels guilty or ashamed.
This time, I take her hand and squeeze. “I’m sure you’ve made the best decision you can.”
She gives me a wan smile. “What will you do?”
“I’ll go to Italy. Stay with Luca. He’ll help me, protect me.” At least I hope he will. The only issue will be whether he finally decides to return to New York. In that case, I’ll find somewhere else to go.
Something flickers across Elena's face and her eyes dart away from mine again. “Luca. Yes, I suppose he’ll help you.”
"You don't think so?" I ask, suddenly uncertain and wondering why she’d question him.
She waves her hands. "It's not that. Luca would protect you with his life. You're his sister.” There’s something personal going on here, and I’m wondering what Elena might know about my brother that I don’t.
They’ve known each other most of their lives, just like I’ve known her and La Corona family members all my life. But it’s not like they’re friends.
In fact, my sense is that she doesn’t much like Luca.
"I can stay with you tonight," she offers. "When you take the test. You shouldn't be alone for that."
I consider her offer, grateful yet uncertain. "I think I need to do this part alone. But thank you."
The truth is, I'm not ready to know whether I’m pregnant or not.
