Chapter 1
My world shattered the moment Amara collapsed. One second, my daughter was running toward me, giggling as she dodged the waves at the private beach behind our villa. The next, she crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Amara!” My scream tore through the air as I bolted toward her. But I wasn’t the first to reach her.
Lorenzo was faster. One moment, he was by the fireplace, discussing business with his men. The next, he was on his knees, his strong arms scooping our daughter off the cold floor.
“Amara, piccola,” his voice was rough, panicked–nothing like the cold, untouchable mafia king the world knew. “Stay with me.”
Her tiny fingers clutched at his shirt, her breaths coming in short, pained gasps. “Papa…”
“I’m here, sweetheart.” His jaw clenched, his grip on her tightening as he turned to me. “Get the doctor. Now.”
I snapped out of my frozen shock and grabbed my phone, my fingers trembling as I called Dr. Romano. “She collapsed,” I choked out. “She–she can’t breathe properly.”
“Bring her to the clinic. Now.”
She was fine just minutes ago. Playing. Laughing. This can’t be happening. “She–she was fine, Lorenzo,” I forced out, trying to keep the panic from swallowing me whole.
“Not now,” he snapped, his jaw clenched as he carried Amara toward the waiting black SUV. His men moved swiftly, opening the door as he slid inside with our daughter cradled in his arms.
I climbed in beside them, my hands shaking as I reached for Amara’s pale face. “Baby, stay with me. Mommy’s here.”
Lorenzo didn’t speak, his entire body tense as he held Amara against his chest. His heartbeat was steady–controlled–but I knew him too well. Beneath that ruthless composure, he was barely holding it together.
The drive to the hospital was suffocating.
Every second felt like an eternity. When we arrived, doctors were already
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waiting. Lorenzo didn’t waste time; he strode through the entrance, barking orders like a man used to being obeyed.
Dr. Romano met us in the hallway, his face grave as he motioned for the nurses to take Amara.
“What’s happening to my daughter?” Lorenzo demanded, his voice like
steel.
Dr. Romano exhaled sharply. “It’s as we feared. Her nervous system is failing. If we don’t act fast-”
“Then act,” Lorenzo cut him off, his patience razor–thin.
The doctor hesitated. “She needs a transfusion. But her condition is rare. There’s only one match.”
My stomach twisted.
Dr. Romano’s gaze flickered to Lorenzo. “You.”
Silence.
Lorenzo’s expression didn’t change, but something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
I swallowed hard. “Then do it. Whatever it takes.”
Dr. Romano nodded, but before he could speak, the doors swung open.
A woman walked in. Tall. Elegant. Dressed in a designer coat, her heels clicking against the pristine floor. Panicked.
Isabella–my husband’s first love. They were in a relationship for almost five years. She should have been Lorenzo’s wife, but she ran away from him. I was the one who saved him from drowning in pain, and a year later, he married
- me.
But Isabella wasn’t alone.
A boy stood beside her. No older than Amara. Pale. Frail. His small hand gripping Isabella’s tightly.
My stomach dropped. No. Not now.
Dr. Romano stiffened. “This is… unexpected.”
Lorenzo’s voice was eerily calm. “Why is she here?”
Isabella’s fingers trembled as she clutched her son’s hand. “Because… Dr.
Romano is my son’s doctor. Dante needs help too.”
The air thickened with tension.
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Dr. Romano exhaled. “Dante has the same condition as Amara. And Lorenzo… you’re his only match.”
The words hit like a gunshot. My world tilted.
“What?” Lorenzo’s voice was dangerously low.
Dr. Romano hesitated, then said the words that shattered everything.
“Dante is your son.”
The silence was deafening.
I took a step back, my vision blurring. No. No, this couldn’t be happening.
Lorenzo’s entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched. His knuckles turned white. “Is this some kind of joke?”
Isabella’s lips trembled. “I didn’t want you to find out this way.”
me?”
Lorenzo’s hands curled into fists. “How long?” His voice was cold, deadly.
Isabella swallowed. “Eight years.”
I flinched.
Eight years. The same age as Amara.
Lorenzo inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. “And you didn’t think to tell
Tears welled in Isabella’s eyes. “I was protecting him.”
Lorenzo let out a dark, humorless laugh. “From me?”
“From my dead–husband,” she whispered. “If he knew Dante wasn’t his… he would have killed us both.”
I felt sick. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t real.
Dr. Romano broke the silence. “We don’t have time for this. Lorenzo, you have two children who need you.”
Two. The word twisted like a knife in my chest.
Lorenzo’s face was unreadable, but his hands clenched at his sides.
Isabella took a shaky breath. “I know I have no right to ask, but please…
save him.”
My throat burned. I looked at Lorenzo, at the man I had loved, at the father of my child.
“Lorenzo.” My voice was barely a whisper. “Save our daughter.”
His jaw tensed. His gaze flickered between Amara’s hospital bed and
Chapter 1
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