God, this was bad.
“The doctor told you it was a boy?” Aunt Pearl asked.
“No,” Vanessa said. “But trust me, it’s a boy. A sweet little girl would never act like this. This is definitely Griffin’s son, stubborn, restless, and too big for my little belly.”
Griffin moved his hand to the back of her neck and gently massaged her. “You’re sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Vanessa said. “I don’t think I’ll be comfortable again until he’s out of here. But then I’ll be pregnant again…so I should just get used to this.” She rubbed her belly before she took a bite out of her bread. “Sorry for interrupting everyone. Keep eating.”
My mother turned to Mia and Carter. “When do you guys think you’ll grow your family? No pressure,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m not one of those crazy grandmas. I’m just curious.”
“Let them enjoy being married for a while,” Father said. “Carter, you don’t have to answer that.”
Carter didn’t smile. His eyes flicked to Mia, who immediately frowned at the question.
I knew something was wrong, just gauging by their reactions. My brother never told me he wanted a family, but after seeing him with Luca, I assumed he wanted more children. I sipped my wine as I felt the tension settle across the table
“Well…” Carter looked at Mia, having a silent conversation with her that only they could understand.
Mia gave a subtle nod.
“You’re sure?” Carter whispered.
“Yeah,” Mia whispered.
My mother’s face was instantly filled with regret, like she hated herself for asking a question that clearly caused both of them pain.
Carter cleared his throat. “It’ll be very difficult for Mia to have more children. She…has some medical issues that we need to try to take care of.”
My mother’s eyes immediately filled with tears.
Father looked away, like he was angry with my mother for bringing it up the night before their wedding.
Carter continued. “She had her tubes tied…against her will.”
My hand almost shattered my wineglass when I heard what he said. That monster who’d had Mia as a prisoner actually did that to her? Took away something he had no right to touch? Raping her and torturing her wasn’t enough? He had to take it a step further? “Fucking piece of shit!”
Everyone turned at my outburst.
Carter remained calm. “But I’m confident Mia and I will figure out a way to have more children. The procedure is reversible, with low odds of success. But there are other ways we can conceive, so not all hope is lost.” He moved his hand to her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. “And if that doesn’t work out, I already have a son—so I’m happy.”
My eyes watered at the sweet way my brother handled the situation, how he didn’t make Mia feel inadequate for not being able to bear children naturally. He loved her anyway, didn’t make her feel like she wasn’t good enough. I already loved my brother, but now I respected him even more.
“Well said, baby.” Mom placed her hand on Carter’s and patted it.
“Yes,” Father said. “Very true, son. We’re blessed to have everything that we have, including Mia.”
Mia’s eyes watered next, touched by my family’s unconditional love. I knew her son was the only relative she had in the world, and now that she was marrying Carter, she got all of us. She was getting everything she needed. “Thank you. You’ve all been so kind to me…I’m honored to become a Barsetti. You guys became family the second I met you. There are no words to describe my gratitude, for accepting Luca and me so openly.”
“We love you,” I whispered. “Both of you. And we’re the ones who feel honored, Mia.”
Carter’s eyes moved to my face, and he gave me a look of affection I didn’t receive often. He seemed annoyed with me most of the time, but now he was touched by what I said. I’d always gone out of my way to make Mia feel welcome, knowing that Carter loved her unconditionally. And if my brother loved her, then I loved her too. That loyalty obviously meant the world to him. He silently mouthed the words across the table. “Thank you.”
I washed my face and brushed my teeth before I went to bed. This nighttime routine usually happened with Bosco beside me, using the other sink as he snuck glances at me in the mirror.
Now I was doing it alone, my heart heavy. I wasn’t sad Bosco wasn’t there. I was sad Mia had been through something so horrible.
Unforgivable.
I walked back into the bedroom and pulled the sheets down on my childhood bed. The second I became an adult, I moved to Florence and worked as a waitress as I figured out how to open my shop. I saved money for a down payment, and then my father helped me with the rest. My store rent checks went straight to him since he owned the property. He didn’t want to take my money at first, but when I reminded him I wanted to be treated the same way as Carter, he caved.