Page 73 of His Wife

I shake my head.

“Not even as a child?”

“Nope. My dad didn’t believe in holidays.”

“Easter?”

“None.”

With gentle fingers, he forces me to turn around and face him, then tips my chin up with his finger, our gazes latched. “I’ll spend my life righting the wrongs your parents did to you, and I’ll make sure our children have nothing but the best.” His hand drops to my belly, his fingers scrunching the fabric of my silk blouse, and I place my palm on top.

“I love you.”

“And I love you.” He places a tender kiss on my lips, a simple act with the power to ignite a blaze. “I have to talk to Maximo, then I’ll join you for dinner.”

“Sure, but when you have time, I want to talk to you about Nicoli.”

“Jesus. What did my twin fucking brother do now?”

“Nothing. That’s the problem.”

Curiosity lingers on his curved brow. “Okay, but can we discuss it after dinner?”

“Sure.” I smile, then watch him walk in the other direction. I turn and knock into a guy carrying the large gold star for the top of the tree. He almost drops it, and I stumble back while trying to help him keep his balance.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” he apologizes, his cheeks flushed and eyes filled with panic. “I didn’t see—”

“No, it’s okay.” I smile. “I’m fine. I should get out of your way.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Honestly, it’s okay.”

“Mr. Del Rossa will—”

“My husband will not know about this,” I assure him, witnessing how my husband’s presence in this house and town intimidates everyone around.

I’m scrambling to get out of the foyer with more people carrying crates of decorations, holly bushes and mistletoe being draped along the staircase. The rotunda ceiling is being curtained with lights, staff scurrying around to transform it into a Christmas wonderland.

There’s a soft flicker in my belly, a twitch of excitement from the girl who never lived in a house with a Christmas tree. My heart feels full with the thought of presents and ribbons and paper hat crowns, a fireplace decorated with red and white stockings and candy canes. It’s my childhood dream coming to life, and by this time next year, I’ll have my own little family to share the festive joy I was denied.

Ten minutes ago, I couldn’t picture myself running down these halls chasing after kids. But somehow, now, I can see our children huddled around the tree, their laughter, their happy faces beaming with excitement as they unwrap their presents, eager to find the gift hidden beneath the snowflake wrapping paper. Somehow…I can see our family. My family.

Suddenly, the future no longer seems so daunting.

As I pass the window overlooking the front courtyard, I catch a glimpse of Nicoli’s flashy red car parked outside and decide to look for him so we can talk about Mira. I’m worried about her, and if he’s purposefully avoiding her, I want to know so I can wrap my fingers around his throat and personally strangle him.

My flat boots make no sound as I saunter down the hall, the lights casting a warm glow on the lacquered floor. The house already smells like pine and spice, a mix of the holiday aroma that fills our chests and warms our hearts.

“She can’t know about this.” Alexius’ voice filters through the slivered gap of his office door left slightly ajar. It’s his harsh tone that makes me stop, leaning my head to the side, listening.

“Are you sure he can be trusted? Or is he a potential problem we need to eradicate now?”

“He won’t talk.”

“Are you sure, Maximo? Where does he get the placebos from? You know as well as I do there’s always a fucking trail.”

Placebos?

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