Chapter 3 - A Mother’s Legacy
Matteo held up a single hand, his dark eyes flashing with lethal authority.
"Leave her. She stays," Matteo commanded, his deep voice slicing through the tense air like a blade.
Dimitri froze mid-sentence, his jaw dropping as he released Serafina’s arm instantly, bowing his head in nervous sweat. "Of... of course, Mr. Valente. Right away."
Matteo ignored the manager completely. He dropped to one knee on the hardwood floor, sitting beside his young son. Leo gently rested his small head against Serafina’s shoulder, his tiny fingers reaching out to touch the smooth silver locket in her hands.
Matteo stared at the quiet girl in disbelief. "He hasn't stopped crying or spoken to anyone since his mother passed six months ago," Matteo whispered in a low, breathless tone.
"Grief is heavy for someone so small, sir," Serafina replied gently, using the corner of her clean napkin to wipe away the tear tracks on Leo's pale cheeks. "He just needs to know he isn't carrying it by himself."
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Matteo looked at her with intense, burning fascination, a subtle and powerful emotion rising in his chest. "He needs a mother... and I found her."
👉 Keep reading to uncover why Dimitri was so desperate to get rid of Serafina.
