Page 5 of The Billionaire's Destiny

I pulled out my phone, wanting to give Mama a heads-up that Judge Colby had surfaced again.

“Weren’t you hacked?” Olivia asked.

“Yes, but this is a new phone.”No answer.

I grimaced and put my phone away.

“I’ll have someone check on her, Adelina,” Paul assured. “I’m staying in Florence overnight to see Rocco before heading to Amalfi. Is there anything else I can do for you two?”

Olivia turned toward me. “I’d like to stay at the house.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Olivia kissed Paul’s cheeks and hugged him. “Thank you, Paul. You’re such a good friend to our Rocco.”

“I’m always here for all of you,” Paul told her, then turned to me. “You take care of yourself and call us anytime.” After watching the video of me with my father, he paused and waited for my permission before touching me, which I appreciated.

I opened my arms and took his hug. “Thank you so much.”

Paul took out his phone. A few minutes later, Zane appeared from around a corner with a couple of security guards behind him. “We have the all clear.”

We followed him out of the building, police forming a protective corridor to the waiting Mercedes, blocking curious stares. It should have calmed me, but after being filmed, I stayed on edge. I slipped into the back seat, Olivia right behind me. Cameras flashed as we pulled away from the airport, but soon, the city’s traffic swallowed us on the road to Marini Estate.

As we drove on, my muscles unclenched, and I sank into the seat. The sight of Florence’s ornate, storied buildings swept me into another world, comforting me. Yet, everywhere I lookedbrought my attention back to Rocco. I hated leaving him at the hospital alone.

“Nico didn’t want to miss Salvatore’s tennis match,” Olivia said as if I asked her, breaking into my thoughts. “He’s sure he’ll be the next Nadal.”

I crossed my arms and stared out at traffic. “I didn’t know he competed.”

“Sal doesn’t usually compete, but he excels at anything he tries. His only flaw is losing interest. Rocco was different. Once he set his mind to something, he took charge. Did you know that he was elected president of every club he joined within a week?”

“Yeah, I think so. Luca may have mentioned it,” I murmured.

“Luca loved to brag about our Rocco. He was always a leader.” Her words brimmed with pride, and I believed everything she said about him. My heart warmed at the thought of Rocco’s unwavering confidence and relentless drive. He poured that same effort into his work and into loving me.

“I don’t want to be your enemy, Adelina. I’m…I’m sorry for saying I’d replace you. Rocco—”

“Loves me,” I said, and cleared my throat. “He told me.”

She nodded. “Oh, yes. I bet he has. He has such a big heart and so much love to give. And you care about him. You don’t want him to struggle, do you? Just have a baby. That’s all we’re asking.”

I groaned in frustration. “I don’t want to talk about this again with you.”

“Okay, but you can’t deny the strain this pursuit of finances from investors has had on Rocco. It has him groveling to crazy idiots like George and now he’s in the hospital. Having a baby could solve many of our problems right now.”

I snorted. “Unbelievable. Olivia,youof all people can’t be serious.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your husband is still angry about the child provision.”

Nico was furious during the will reading after the funeral. He couldn’t even hide his hostility toward Olivia, which I didn’t understand.

“He’s upset with Luca, and he has a right to be. You may have seen one side of my father, but there was a ruthless one, too. He told his friends not to help Nico and refused to let us use our trust for his career.”

I frowned. Luca had done the very same thing to Rocco.

“Nico couldn’t get anywhere in Hollywood, and it broke his spirit. He didn’t think he was good enough to raise our kids because he feared they’d end up a failure like him.”