Chapter 2
Noemi stood frozen in the hospital corridor as the doctor’s words rang in her cars.
“She’s pregnant.”
She watched Alessio’s face transform–shock melting into pure, unguarded joy. He whispered to himself. “Finally… everything’s back on track.”
She understood perfectly. Now that Daniela carried a child, he could shed his brother’s identity and
return to her bed.
But she was done playing audience to his resurrection drama.
The patient needs a blood transfusion.” the doctor continued. “She’s anemic.”
Alessio immediately rolled up his sleeve, but the doctor shook his head. “Your type won’t work. We
need B–negative.”
Noemi was B–negative.
Alessio’s eyes found hers.
After an awkward pause, he approached. “Noemi, your sister–in–law is pregnant. This baby… it’s what, we’ve been waiting for.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “Would you donate blood? I’ll make it up to you when this is all over.”
Make it up to me? She almost laughed. What was his plan–graciously return to her bed like some conquering hero?
“I’ll donate. Save your IOUS,”
She followed the nurse without looking back.
As the needle slid into her vein, she watched her blood fill the collection bag. Her mind drifted to their first Christmas–when she’d spiked a 100–degree fever. With every doctor in Sicily on holiday. Alessio had chartered a helicopter to get her to Milan’s top hospital.
He’d held her hand through it all, murmuring, “I’ve got you, baby. Just breathe.”
2021
To End Mythur
vin Mali
Chapter 3
Now that same blood would flow through his mistress’s veins, nourishing their child.
For days after. Noemi stayed in her wing of the mansion, watching through her window as Alessio played devoted husband.
He skipped every family meeting, every business conference call, shuttling between home and hospital with containers of homemade soup.
Tuesday’s minestrone. Wednesday’s tortellini in brodo. Thursday’s risotto.
Once upon a time, he’d done the same for her when she had the flu–standing guard over their kitchen, insisting on making everything from scratch.
When Daniela finally came home, the Family estate erupted in celebration. Alessio went door to door with traditional bomboniere–those little mesh bags of sugar–coated almonds that Italians gave
out for special occasions.
“Daniela’s expecting!” he announced to each household, pride radiating from every pore. “Please,
take some confetti to celebrate.”
“Wonderful news!”
“About time the family had an heir!”
His face glowed with paternal joy–an expression she’d never seen before.
He approached her last, hesitating with the small gift bag. “Noemi…”
“Congratulations, Marco.” She accepted the almonds with a practiced smile. “May your growing family know every happiness.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. Something about her calm demeanor clearly unnerved him.
Since his “death,” she’d been nothing but tears and suicide attempts. This composed indifference felt
wrong.
Before he could respond, Daniela appeared at his elbow, threading her arm through his. “Darling, didn’t we promise to take Noemi out? To thank her for the blood?”
Despite Noemi’s protests, they ended up at Trattoria del Corso, one of Palermo’s finest restaurants.
‘Welcome! Table for three?” The hostess beamed at them.
2021
His Deally Tammy’s i
Chapter:
Her gaze bounced between Alessio and Daniela, her smile widening. “What a gorgeous couple! And is this your sister? She’s absolutely stunning.”
Alessio opened his mouth to correct her, but Noemi heat him to it.
“Yes. I’m his little sister.”
The words hit him like a punch.
His jaw tightened, but with Daniela’s hand on his arm and her growing belly between them, he said
nothing.
What else could he say?
He’d made his choice.
They all had to live with it now.
20-21 C
