Chapter 428
Chapter 428:
He would always be my father, whether I liked it or not. It was enough for me to know that he was out there somewhere — even if we never spoke again — rather than pretending he didn’t exist at all.
Frustration rose inside me when I remembered what he had said about Félix De Luca and his ruthless family. What kind of father threatens to have someone’s child killed in order to cover his own son’s sins? That was the kind of man Nicholas De Luca was — heartless and dangerous.
My thoughts were still churning when a sudden knock on the window made me jump. A man peered in at me, and a jolt of nerves ran through me.
“Why are you sitting out here? Why haven’t you come in yet?” Bryan crouched down, frowning through the glass.
“I’m fine out here. The quiet helps me think p>
“Right, sure. Next time, come up with a more convincing excuse, all right?” Bryan flashed a lopsided smile, nodding as though he were in on a joke only he understood. “Come on, let’s not stay out here. I’m sure you have plenty of things to ask me p>
A sigh slipped out as I thought of how he had given my father my number without even a warning.
“You’re right, Bryan. I do need to ask you something.” I closed the car door behind me, already rolling my eyes at the whole situation.
It was ten in the morning in Seattle.
I ran up the steps to my mother’s house, barely containing my excitement at seeing her and Steven. I hadn’t told either of them I was coming — I wanted it to be a surprise.
In the end, I was the one who was surprised. Suitcases were stacked beside the living room sofa.
𝖣𝗂s𝖼𝗼𝘷𝗲𝘳 ոе𝘄 𝘀t𝘰𝗋𝗶𝘦𝘴 𝗼𝗇 𝗴𝘢𝘭𝘯𝗼𝗏е𝗹ѕ.𝗰o𝗺
“Sis?” A voice came from the kitchen.
Steven stepped out.
“Brother!” I couldn’t help the wide smile that spread across my face as I pulled him into a hug.
“You should have told us you were coming.” He frowned gently and led me to the sofa.
“I wanted to catch you and Mom off guard, but it looks like the tables have turned.” I nodded toward the three bags near the door.
He simply sighed.
“Where’s Mom p>
“She’s upstairs in her room, packing the last of her things.” Steven lifted his shoulders slightly.
“Packing everything? Are you two moving? Looking for somewhere different p>
“It’s not just about finding a new place. We’re leaving Seattle. Mom wants to go somewhere else entirely — another country p>
His words stunned me.
“I don’t understand. What are you talking about, Steven? Are you saying you’re going abroad? What does that mean p>
“She got a call yesterday. After that, she told me we’re going back to Italy p>
“What do you mean?” I asked before I could stop myself. The surprise must have shown plainly on my face. Steven looked at me carefully, his brow creasing with concern.
“Belle p>
We both turned toward the voice and found Mom standing in the doorway.
“Mom!” I jumped up and ran to her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. But even in that embrace, I couldn’t ignore the heaviness in her eyes.