Page 56 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

“Of course. Simone, how wonderful it is to see you again,” Mamma said, her voice dripping with fake kindness.

Another round of greetings and kisses were exchanged, and the anxiety in me started swirling uncontrollably.

“Hugo, what a charming home you have here,” Mamma said, looking around critically. I fought the eye roll. Charming was not a compliment coming from Catarina Barone.

“Caterina, Carlo, can I get you anything to drink? We have water, soda, wine…” Simone’s voice trailed off nervously.

“I would love some still water, no ice. Thank you, dear,” my mom said. My father didn’t even bother responding. Simone scurried into the kitchen, seemingly grateful to have a task.

“Please, have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the couch. Mamma sat down on the couch gingerly and Papà chose a chair. It felt like I was in a different universe, having these two in my home. Simone came back with water for my mother and sat on the couch next to her while I sat in another chair.

“So, what brings you to Boston?” I asked. It was time to get to the point.

“We just wanted to visit our son,” Mom replied.

“You’ve been avoiding my calls, Hugo. We were forced to come all the way here.” Dad’s voice was stern and left no room for argument.

“I’ve just been busy with the clinic. We’ve been meeting with international group so we can expand. It's exciting times where the business world is opening to me. Next level ideas that I hadn't even considered before.”

“There's a lot of things you haven't considered sufficiently,” my dad’s voice cut through the room. “I tried to talk about this nicely with you in Italy, but it’s time you come home and do the right thing.”

Okay, so this was how it was going to be today.

I sighed. “Like I told you in Italy, I have no interest in running the vineyard.”

“Hugo,” my mom begged. “Please, it’s your responsibility to the family. We've let you have your here, but now it’s time to get serious. Not only is it your responsibility, it's your obligation.”

I shook my head vehemently.

“With all due respect,” all eyes cut to Simone as her voice rang confidently through the room. “I don’t think you know what the hell you’re talking about. Hugo hasn’t just been having fun here, he’s built something real. He’s built something important. Certainly more important to him than wine. He’s changing and saving lives. He’s making a difference both in this community and beyond. The four of them are going to make a real mark on the world and I can’t believe that you – his parents! – would want him to do anything that doesn't speak to his soul. Repeatedly asking him to return to Italy and give up everything that is important to him is asking a lot. And it shows your complete unwillingness to learn more about his life. Your own son's life."

I won't lie. My jaw almost hit the floor. I surveyed the scene. Mamma's mouth hung open as she shifted in her seat. She didn’t like being talked down to like that. Carlo’s eyes narrowed, and I braced myself for whatever came next.

“This is none of your concern, young lady. This is family business. I’m not sure what you’re even doing here right now.”

“This is Simone’s home,” I spat at my father. “She is my fiancée and she belongs here.”

My dad glared at me.

“I don’t know how much clearer I can be with you, Hugo. Either get your ass back to Italy – alone and without this woman. Or you will be financially and personally cut off from the family.”

I barked out a laugh.

“You think I need your money? I don't. Why don't you just train up the girls to take over the business? They should be able to take over everything, given their degrees at prestigious universities that you've purchased for them." I congratulated myself for actually remembering this blast from the past, where it was found that the girls didn't actually earn their degrees. Papà somehow found his way around getting criminally prosecuted and the girls just had to complete 100 hours of community service each, while having their degrees stripped from them.

My father shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the unfortunate reminder. He cleared his throat. "They are not interested," he simply said.

"Well, I don't know how this is any different. I'm. Not. Interested. Sell it. Give it away. Take the money and run. You can give it all to my sisters to spend on their eyelashes and nail polishes. I’m just fine without your money. And without you."

Mama gasped at my words and reached into her purse, grabbing a tissue and dabbing it to her eyes. Always with the dramatics.

“You don’t mean that, Hugo.”

“Mamma, I’m tired of fighting the same battle. And if you two just don’t get that I’m not interested – and never will be – in running the vineyard, I just have nothing left to say.”

I risked a glance at Simone, who was encouraging me through your eyes. Her involvement and support meant everything to me at this moment, and I won't lie. It gave me courage to say what needed to be said.

“I guess we’re done here, then,” Dad said, getting up and walking toward the foyer. “We’ll be here for two more days. That’s your deadline for changing your mind. Your mother will pass along our hotel information, in case you care.”

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