Page 138 of Powerful Deception

He leans in and places his lips against mine. Its sweet and gentle like the last kiss and nothing like the kisses I’m used to from this man.

“Come back to the house, Arianna. The kids want you there. I want you there. Don’t leave me, amate.”

A small gasp leaves my lips.

Don’t leave me.

“I won’t. Never again.”

“Then let's go home.”

40

There’s a calmness. Circulating through me and surrounding me.

It’s a calmness that I haven’t felt in a very long time. If I had to pinpoint when, I would say the day before Angelina died.

That was the last time I felt this way and now a year later, I’m feeling it again.

And it’s all thanks to the twenty-four-year-old woman that is currently laying in my daughters bed. The woman that is sandwiched between both my children and even in her sleep wears a smile.

The woman that even when lies were trying to eat at her, gave me her heart.

A heart that I will hold and protect as long as I can. A heart that I know holds mine in the same regard.

Never did I think that my heart would be given to another woman, but like I told Angelina, I was wrong. Arianna took it and is grasping it so tight that at times it's hard to breathe.

But I’m okay with that.

I’m also okay with letting my heart belong to two separate women because it does. One half to Angelina the other to Arianna.

And that’s how it will be for the rest of my life.

The second me and Arianna walked to the house after the cemetery, Alessandra came running towards us. Well, came running to Arianna. I should say.

Alessandra was so happy she even yelled out Ari, which caused Arianna to cry. So much happiness radiated off of Arianna when she heard Alessandra say her name.

Her smile grew even more, when Evelyn came down with Angel on her hip.

Once Arianna had both kids with her, something hit me. This is where she is supposed to be.

I couldn't help but wonder if somehow, Joseph sent his daughter to me because he knew I needed her. My kids needed her and he sent her to us to be in our lives in some capacity.

After their little reunion, Arianna spent the rest of her day playing with the kids and just enjoying them. So much so that she told me to go rest and to not disturb her time with them.

So I did.

And now they’re all asleep after their tiring day.

Looking at the time on my watch, I step into the room and head over to the bed.

I gently shake Arianna’s shoulder, trying not to wake the kids.

Her eyes open right away, a panicked look coming across her face.

Once she sees it's me, she relaxes.

Without a doubt, she is still in shock with that happened with Gallo. That’s not something that is going to go away anytime soon. It’s going to take her some time.

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