Page 81 of Pomegranate Seeds

Salvatore went to the living room to sit with Valerio and Verona, and I moved to the kitchen. Mia was handling everything I left her with, but she was not alone. Priscilla was holding Clara on her hip, talking to her while she was busy stirring the soup. She had a small smile towards the little girl.

I didn’t know why but my heart burned fiercely. I couldn’t care, though. I could just stay there and watch her stir that soup with a toddler on her hip all day and all night.

“Antonio!”

I turned to the loud noise that belonged to my sister. “You don’t have to shout, Mia.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a little devilish smile on her lips. “Well, you didn’t hear the first two times.”

It was impossible.

I was about to tell her that, but Clara cut me off. “Uncle Atonyo.” She still had a hard time pronouncing my name. I really didn’t enjoy it but excused her since she was two years old.

I went to them and took Clara out of Priscilla’s arms. “Mia is teaching me how to cook,” she said excitedly. I didn’t think it was real since she was only stirring a soup, but she looked so happy, so I didn’t voice it.

“Why you never teach me how to cook?” she asked.

Clara was playing with my tie, and I tried to avoid it. I only looked at Priscilla. “Because I can cook.”

Priscilla’s bottom lip poked out. “But I want to cook for you too.”

It was very unnecessary. “You don’t need to. I’ll cook for you. I’ll take care of you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then I’ll learn it from Mia.”

I didn’t like that too. If she needed help with something, I had to be the one to help her. I didn’t want to share her with anyone in any way. “No. I’ll do it.”

Priscilla let go of the soup and clapped. Clara joined her and clapped happily. That made her smile even huger. She clapped with Clara. She looked fucking cute.

Oh, I never thought about that.

“Where is mommy?” Clara asked, and I realized their little clapping session was over.

I kissed Clara’s cheek because she enjoyed it. “Outside, Princess. Let me take you to them.” I would keep her here because Priscilla seemed to like having Clara near, but I knew she would end Alessio and Isabella’s argument. Also, she was their daughter. Logically they had the first right to Clara.

Before leaving, I caressed Priscilla’s hip and kissed her hair. “Don’t tire yourself so much.”

Priscilla

“What was that?” Mia asked with a burst of laughter. She held it inside until Antonio left. I usually found his acts adorable, too, but this time didn’t understand what was funny.

“What was what?”

Mia shook her head and kept laughing like the most hilarious thing happened. “Don’t tire yourself so much?” She pointed to the soup. “You are just stirring soup. I have heard these types of stupid things from Alessio but never from Antonio.”

I laughed a little too, but it was because of another reason. I didn’t think it was funny. I thought it was cute of him. Also, I was deliriously happy that he made something so out of character for me. I shrugged and looked away from Mia. I didn’t want her to see my hopeful eyes. She wouldn’t understand. “Maybe he has changed.”

“Married life changes everyone, but I had my doubts about Antonio. You know he is not like everyone.”

“I know,” I said more to myself than Mia. Even though I tried to ignore it, sometimes I knew it. Antonio was not like everyone. He was the Heartless.

Mia turned to me with a concerned look, and I realized my voice came out too sad. I just poured all of my sadness into two words. I hated looking anything but joyful in front of other people. I didn’t want her to get concerned for me. I could deal with it myself.

“Priscilla,” she said with a sad tone. It was a tone I hated. I hated when people were upset for me. There was nothing to be upset about. I was able to overcome everything on my own. I was so damn happy. I didn’t want their pity. I hated it.

I shook my head quickly with a smile. “It is okay. I knew who he was when I married him.”

She smiled sweetly, but I could see melancholy in her eyes. “It is not something bad. You can just always trust him to take care of you and be steady. He won’t do anything crazy. He is trustworthy.”

---