Page 73 of The Billionaire's Destiny

I smiled and shook my head. “No. Molte Grazie.”

“You’re so tiny,” she said, patting my hips. “You need to be healthy. You’re eating for two now—”

“No, she’s not.” Rocco interrupted her in a hushed tone. “We’ve just been to the doctors.”

She glanced at me, and I nodded, affirming what he told her.

Micola waved her hands dismissively. “Doctors make mistakes. I got a negative test before. Olivia had one, too, and ended up with twins. Trust me. I know what I see, and when you eat my lentil soup, you’ll know what I do. You’re pregnant.”

I kept my smile, though it was difficult after the results we were given today. Rocco shifted the conversation to what she made for the meal, and as they quietly chatted about vegetable sauces, it gave me a chance to recover.

She came back to me and cupped my face. “You’ll be fine, my lovely.” She leaned over my ear. “I promise, and you’re welcome to come into the kitchen.” I knew this was high praise, and I thanked her again before she left us.

My gaze went to Rocco, a soft smile on his face.

“Rocco, Adelina?” It was Olivia’s voice calling from the direction of the living room.

“It’ll be fine,” Rocco whispered, squeezing my hand as he led us into the room.

Nico avoided our eyes, his head bowed, while Olivia greeted us with a radiant smile. “Hello, Rocco. Adelina.”

“Hello, Mom, Dad. We had an early appointment this morning and didn’t know you were coming over.” I gave them a nod and we took seats across from them, with Rocco placing his arm around my shoulder.

Olivia let out a heavy sigh. “Some things just couldn’t wait. We wanted to clear the air before the family meeting. Rocco let us see Nico’s conversation with Luca on his video.” Her eyes shimmered. Nico reached for her hand, and she clung to him, her grip visibly strong. She glanced at me, and I shifted my legs on the seat.

Zita, filling in for Magda, arrived with four espressos and cakes. I took a sip of mine, and it was perfect, just the way I liked it. “Thank you.”

“Would you close the doors, please?” Rocco asked as Zita left. He turned back, his voice firm. “Before we talk about the video, I want you both to apologize to Adelina. Mom, you had no right pressuring her. And Dad, you shouldn’t have asked her to do your bidding or give up her gift just to cover up your dirty secret.”

Nico’s shoulders dropped with Rocco’s curt tone. However, his eyes shifted to me. “You’re right, son…Adelina, I’m sorry for what I did. It was wrong. I knew it, but I was—”

“Trying to hide the truth,” Rocco cut in. “That you cheated on Mom.”

“I did,” Nico admitted. “It was early in our marriage, and I’ve hated myself for doing it and tried to make up for it every day since. I love your mom; it was a big mistake.”

“It was,” Rocco said, his jaw tight. “Mom is incredible and loves you deeply. I can’t understand how you could hurt her like that.”

Nico’s shoulders drooped, and his head lowered to his lap. “I can’t either. I was a fool. You can judge me, but I’m not that man anymore.”

Rocco snorted. “I most certainly can.”

“You can, but I ask you not to,” Olivia said. “The affair happened to me.” She touched her chest. “Me. A long time ago. Almost thirty years, and you think I’ll hold on to hatred? Never. I already cried about it. I’m done. I gave your father another chance because lust isn’t love. I love your father and our family. That mattered more to me. We had you, your brother, your sister, and a lifetime of joy and happiness. I don’t regret my choice.”

“I love our family, too,” Rocco said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed. Mom, I can’t imagine anyone not appreciating you for the amazing woman you are. It hurts me to think of you being hurt in any way.”

She beamed. “That’s because you have such a big heart, son. Hearing how much you care fills me with pride.”

Rocco stood and wrapped his arms around his mother. She smiled, rubbing his back, and the bond between them was unmistakable. When they parted, she wiped her eyes and squeezed his hands. “Rocco, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive your father.”

“I don’t think I can right now,” Rocco said in a gentle tone. “It’s fresh for me, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, Dad.”

Nico wiped his nose with a cloth. “That’s more than I deserve. I’m grateful for that, and I’m here to talk anytime.”

“Not just to me, but Adelina,” Rocco insisted. “You don’t order her around like she’s some stranger. She’s family, and I want you to treat her with respect and care.”

“I will do better,” Nico said, his eyes shifting between the two of us.

“I accept your apology, but it’ll take some time to forgive you,” I told him. He’d been rude to me since we first met. Trust would take time.