Two years later.
Two years feels like both a blink and a lifetime when you’re a father. And that’s what I am. Not just the man who pays the bills or rules the underworld.
A real father with a growing family that reminds me every day how much better life became the moment Eva walked into it.
I step onto the terrace of the Bellacino estate, letting the summer sun hit my face. The air smells like fresh-cut grass, the marble beneath my feet warm from the afternoon heat. Below, the gardens stretch out before me—manicured hedges, the soft gurgles of fountains—the same courtyard where we sealed our marriage vows.
I never used to notice peace. Now, I need it—if only to remember what I’m fighting for.
Down in the courtyard, my son Alessandro toddles across the stones under the watchful eye of our nanny. He’s all bright eyes and untamed energy. He’s nearly two now. Sturdy, stubborn, curious.
He’s got Eva’s fire, her spark of mischief, and a determination that’s pure Bellacino. I watch as he grabs a stick and holds it up like it’s a sword, waving it around with dramatic flair.
That boy’s ready to conquer the world.
The sight hits me square in the chest. He’s mine. Not just by blood, but in spirit. My second chance at fatherhood. My true heir.
I head down the stairs as my mother stands near the fountain, watching Alessandro with a rare, unguarded smile she saves just for him. When she catches my eye, her expression sobers, but not before I see the softness, pride, and peace she never thought she’d live to feel.
“He’s growing fast,” she says. “I swear he was just a baby in a bassinet and now look at him.”
I grunt in agreement, a small smile tugging at my lips. “He’ll be climbing the trees soon if we’re not careful.”
“If he’s anything like Eva, he will be. That woman doesn’t know how to stay idle.”
I chuckle, pride swelling in my chest. Eva’s the reason this place is thriving. She’s inside now, locking down details with Halsey for their cybersecurity firm—her brainchild. The Russians are already sniffing around, eager to buy in.
That’s her power. Quiet. Ruthless. Brilliant.
I glance at the house, drawn to her energy even when she’s not right next to me.
A sudden movement near the gate pulls my attention away. A figure I recognize instantly.
Luca.
“Is that…” My mother sees him too.
“It is.”
“Do you want me to—”
“No. I’ll handle this.”
I head toward the gate, a guard trailing close behind. He’s tense, hand on the butt of his weapon. I give him a nod—not to stand down, but to move in.
As we reach the gate, the guard steps forward and pats Luca down, quick and professional. Luca stiffens, offense flashing in his eyes. He swallows hard, saying nothing. His head drops, shoulders folding in on themselves like he’s finally realized the truth. He doesn’t belong here anymore.
I step forward, his eyes meeting mine, full of regret and shame. A cruel reminder of a legacy built on greed.
“You think I’d bring a weapon here?” He sounds offended more than hurt.
I stare him down. “After what you did, you’re lucky I didn’t have the guards shoot you on sight.”
“Dad, come on…” he says quietly.
I cross my arms, keeping my voice level. “Why are you here?”
He hesitates, searching for the right words. “I guess I came to offer my congratulations. And—” He glances past me, where Alessandro is giggling at the cat. “And to meet my little brother.”
A slow burn of anger rises in my gut. I step in front of him, blocking his view.
“You wanted him and his mother killed. Remember?”
He flinches. “I know. I regret it every day. I was blinded by Mom’s greed, by false ambition, by my own stupidity. I just wanted to see him. And to maybe ask for forgiveness.”
Forgiveness. The nerve. I grit my teeth, remembering how he conspired with Linda, how he funneled money to Lombardi’s men, how Eva barely escaped with her life. All for the sake of Luca proving himself worthy of the Bellacino legacy.
He almost cost me everything that mattered.
“You won’t starve,” I reply tersely, “and you won’t wander the streets. I promised that much, my duty as your father, financially. But you’ll never sit at a Bellacino table again. You lost that right the day you nearly got your baby brother killed.”
Pain shadows his face, tears threatening. “But he’s my blood, too.”
“Blood alone means nothing if you betray your family. You chose Linda’s path, and you knew deep down what she was capable of. You could have stopped her, but you let her do it anyway.”
Silence cloaks us. Behind me, I hear a child’s delighted shriek—Alessandro’s discovered something new to chase. My mother swiftly intervenes, guiding him toward the house, away from noticing me speaking with Luca.
Luca’s jaw works as he tries to swallow his pride or perhaps his sorrow. “I understand,” he whispers. “If you need anything—anything at all—I’ll be around. I’m sorry, Dad.”
He waits, hoping for some hint of acceptance, but all I offer is a rigid nod. “You should go.”
His shoulders sag. “Right.”
He casts one last, longing look toward Alessandro’s laughter echoing in the courtyard, then turns and walks away. The guard follows at a distance, ensuring Luca doesn’t linger.
I watch as he leaves, shoulders hunched under the weight of bad choices he can’t take back. At one time, he was a boy who looked up to me like I hung the stars. Now, he can’t even meet my eyes for more than a second. The sting of that betrayal runs deeper than I let anyone know.
I care for him, I do. But I cannot forget. I cannot gamble my family’s future on sentiment.
He’s out of the business, that much is done. But being a Bellacino isn’t just about blood—it’s about loyalty, discipline, and earning your place. If Luca wants to get back in, he’ll have to prove it. Not with words or time. With sacrifice and pain.
And it’ll take more than one act of repentance to clean the blood off his hands.
Until then, I will protect what matters most. Eva. Alessandro. Our legacy.
A soft voice breaks through my thoughts. “Everything okay?”
I turn to see Eva heading toward me. She’s wearing a simple blouse and jeans, soft and casual. But damn, does she look good.
She moves with purpose, something in her expression telling me this moment isn’t just a simple check-in.
My jaw tightens. “Luca came to ask for forgiveness. Wanted to see Alessandro.”
Her eyes flash with terror. She stops cold, placing a hand on my arm. “And?”
“I sent him away.”
She gives a small, understanding nod. “Maybe someday.”
“Maybe,” I reply, though we both know that’s generous. “But not today.”
Her eyes search mine, full of care and concern. “You did what you had to. Alessandro isn’t lacking love.”
I slip an arm around her waist, guiding her toward the fountain. “That’s all that matters now. Blood isn’t family. Loyalty is. Trust. Love.”
She smiles, leaning into me. “We’re building our own empire.”
I laugh. “More like a tiny army. With the way Alessandro’s growing, we’ll be lucky if the furniture survives another year.”
She chuckles, lips brushing my shoulder. “That’s true, but you need to brace for round two.”
I stop. “Round two?”
Her grin widens. “That’s what I came out here to tell you. I took a test. We’re pregnant.”
A beat passes before the words settle. I press a hand to her stomach, searching her face. “You’re sure?”
She nods. “Yep.”
Pride surges through me and I kiss her, holding her close to my chest.
A squeal cuts through our quiet moment. Alessandro barrels around the fountain, clutching a crumpled fistful of daisies. He runs over and thrusts them up at Eva like a trophy.
She crouches, accepting the flowers and kissing his head. “Thank you, big boy. You’re so sweet.”
I scoop him into my arms, holding him tight. He smells like sunshine and trouble.
My son.
This is my future.
Eva looks up. “Want to head inside? We could bake cookies, or let Alessandro chase the cat again.”
I smirk. “Let’s start with cookies.”
She grins, tugging us toward the house. I catch my mother’s subtle nod from across the courtyard—her silent approval of what we’ve built.
As we climb the stairs, Eva leans into me while Alessandro babbles some adorable nonsense.
I know there will be storms again. This life we chose doesn’t forgive easily.
But I’ve faced down war. I’ve buried family and enemies, I’ve outlived betrayal.
And now, I’ve got a wife at my side, a son in my arms, and another child on the way. My legacy won’t be dictated by bloodlines and power plays. It will be forged in fire and fiercely protected.
At the top of the stairs, I glance back toward the gate. Luca’s shadow is gone.
I shut the door on it and step fully into the life I nearly lost.
For a man who’s walked through blood to claim what matters, nothing could feel more right.
