Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Matteo
"Please, Matteo," Samantha begged from her knees. "For my father's sake. For the sake of everything our families have shared over the years—"
"Shared history?" I cut her off, wrapping a hand around her throat. "You tricked Rachel into going to that engagement party. Because of you, my daughter was taken from me for four damn years. And that's what you call loyalty between families?"
"Matteo, you can't do this to me."
"Should've shut you up a long time ago." I shoved her away. "Send her to Mexico. Hand her over to our friends down there. Tell them she's a special gift. They can do whatever they want with her."
Luca dragged the limp Samantha off the floor like she was a chicken. Her screams and curses got stuffed right back down her throat with a dirty rag.
The Ashford family would be wiped off New York's map within two weeks. Like they never existed. But that didn't touch the rage eating me alive—Rachel still wouldn't forgive me.
I settled into Camden. Less than twenty-four hours later, a copper sign reading "North Point Seafood Sourcing & Supply" went up on the two-story building across from Rachel's Sea Breeze Diner—the one that'd been sitting empty for years.
On paper, we supplied seafood to family restaurants along the New England coast. In reality, it was a place where I could watch her every single day.
I forced Luca into the general manager's chair. He sat behind the glass door, looking miserable, staring at a brand-new coffee machine. "Boss, my specialty is making people shut up in creative ways, not learning how to adjust goddamn freezer temperatures!"
"Then learn now." I didn't look up from the Maine business report in my hands. "Or you can go back and help Camilla with her rose garden."
Luca's mouth snapped shut. I knew he'd rather die than face my mother's stern expression.
From that day on, I became Sea Breeze Diner's most loyal customer.
I showed up at nine sharp every morning, always took the smallest table by the window, always ordered blueberry pancakes with black coffee.
I didn't start conversations with Rachel.
Didn't bug her in the kitchen. I just sat there. Quietly watching her.
Today Molly picked up Sofia. The second Sofia walked in, she gave me a polite hello before launching herself into Rachel's arms on her tiptoes, voice sweet and soft. "Mommy, I got another sticker today."
Rachel stumbled back half a step from the impact, the glass she'd been wiping nearly slipping from her hands.
She smiled and bent down, tucking the windblown strands of hair behind her daughter's ear, catching the backpack that was dragging on the floor.
"Stand still. Running that fast, you'll fall. "
Sofia knew the routine. She held her little arms up high. Rachel lifted her onto the tall stool behind the register and pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat off her nose. "What trouble did you get into today? Let's hear it."
"I didn't get into trouble." Sofia swung her legs, immediately unzipping her little backpack and pulling out a crumpled piece of paper, holding it up like treasure. "Look, the teacher said my flower was the best."
Rachel took it, looked down for a moment, and her eyes filled with laughter. She smoothed out the drawing, set it on a napkin. "It's beautiful. The colors match pretty well too. Did you sneak yellow and orange together again?"
"I didn't sneak," Sofia puffed out her little chest, dead serious. "The teacher said we could pick our own colors. And I made the sun bigger because it was really hot today."
Rachel laughed at how earnest she was. "Okay, fair enough. Now tell mommy—did you fight with anyone over the blocks today?"
Sofia perked right up, leaning over the counter edge, talking with her hands. Rachel listened while folding her little scarf, nodding occasionally, pushing a small cup of warm water her way.
This scene should've had me in it. But now all I could do was fill those blank years with this kind of self-torture.
I stayed until Rachel closed up. The second I walked in, Luca rushed over with a file.
"Boss, we've got a lead on Leona. Someone in South America saw a woman who looks just like her."
My spirits lifted. If I could find Leona, Rachel would be happy.
"Send people immediately. Find her. Whatever it takes."
"Yes, sir."
Right after Luca left, George called.
"Boss, Cassius is on a hunger strike. Three days without food." George sounded helpless. "Either you come back, or I send him over."
I chose the latter. The next day, when Cassius saw me, he let out a weak meow. I pulled him from the carrier. He just flopped on the couch, too listless to even sniff the freeze-dried cod I offered. I planned to take him to see Rachel later. Once he saw Rachel, he'd perk up for sure.
But when I went to get his leash and turned around, Cassius had vanished. I tore the place apart. Nothing. Until I saw the half-open door and realized what happened. This was a small town, but if he wanted to hide, finding him wouldn't be easy.
I searched the main street, finally spotting that familiar gray shape in the alley behind Rachel's house. And the person holding him was Sofia.
"Meow."
Cassius was nuzzling Sofia's cheek affectionately, his throat rumbling with satisfied purrs. Sofia giggled, her little hand gently stroking his soft fur.
"You're so good, kitty."
I stood at the entrance of the alley, couldn't bring myself to break up this perfect moment. Then the window opened. Rachel leaned out.
"Sofia, dinner time."
She saw Cassius in Sofia's arms. Her expression froze instantly.
"Send the cat back to its owner."
"But Mommy, I like him." Sofia hugged Cassius tighter, her face pleading. "See, he likes me too."
Rachel's brows furrowed. "Sofia, just do it."
Sofia's eyes shifted, suddenly brightening. "Mommy, can we invite this mister to eat with us?" She tilted her little face up, voice sweet and soft. "Then I can play with the kitty a little longer. Just a little bit, okay?"
Rachel's face darkened. "No. We don't eat with strangers!"
"But he's not a stranger! He eats at our diner every day!" Sofia argued urgently, but quickly ran out of words, her little face flushing red. Finally, her lip trembled, and tears came.
She didn't make a fuss, just cried while holding Cassius, looking so pitiful it broke my heart. I wanted nothing more than to scoop my daughter up and comfort her.
Rachel clearly hadn't expected this. Her expression changed several times. Finally, she gave up resisting and patiently coaxed Sofia. "Okay, this time Mommy agrees. But only this once."
"Yay! Thank you, Mommy!" Sofia's tears instantly turned to smiles as she dashed inside with Cassius.
"After dinner, you leave immediately."
"Okay."
This counted as my only victory. Thanks, Cassius.
Dinner was awkward. Sofia got what she wanted, eating while playing with Cassius at her feet, thrilled beyond belief.
Rachel stayed silent, head down, mechanically putting food in her mouth.
Occasionally, she'd look up, and our eyes would meet by accident.
Every time, she'd look away immediately, like I was some kind of monster.
After dinner, Sofia finally tired herself out, yawning as Rachel carried her back to the bedroom. When Rachel came out of the bedroom again, all the warmth had vanished from her face. Pent-up fury burned in her eyes like two flames.
"Matteo, didn't you promise not to appear in front of my daughter?"
"I didn't." I spread my hands. "I was just looking for my cat."
"You—"
"Rachel," I looked into her eyes, tone serious, "I promise you, without your permission, I will never tell Sofia anything about me or the Vitale family."
"But she's my daughter. That's a fact no one can change. When she makes a request, I have an obligation as her father to grant it."
Rachel's face went white. Too many emotions churned in those beautiful green eyes. Finally, she said nothing, just walked to the door and pulled it open.
I walked to the doorway, then stopped.
"Cassius really likes Sofia. And Cassius hasn't been doing well since you left. Until you find a new pet, could you help me look after him?"
Rachel's lips moved like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just nodded in agreement.
From that day on, I came by every day. Cat food, scratching posts, vaccines... used every excuse in the book. But I never spent time alone with Sofia. Every time I handed her snacks or toys, I'd check Rachel's expression first, only acting after getting her tacit approval.
Though Rachel's attitude stayed cold, she didn't shut me out completely anymore. She even accepted the handmade doll I gave Sofia.
Today, I finished my last email after midnight, ready to rest. I glanced habitually toward Rachel's place and saw her rush out holding Sofia, stumbling, panic written all over her face.
I grabbed my coat and followed without thinking. Rachel took Sofia to the town clinic. She spoke urgently to the doctor on duty. The doctor took Sofia's temperature and did some tests. Rachel's expression grew graver.
I couldn't stay outside anymore. I pushed through the door. Sofia lay on the bed, her face flushed red, her body convulsing uncontrollably.
"High fever, with convulsions." The doctor was sweating. "Cause unknown. Limited resources here, can't run tests."
Rachel collapsed, covering her face, barely able to stand. I quickly helped her to a chair, then pulled out my phone and called George.
"Where's Evans?" Evans was the country's top pediatric authority, core member of our family's private medical team.
"At a conference in New Brunswick. What happened?"
Thank God! He wasn't far!
"Tell Evans to get his team with all mobile equipment to Camden's community clinic in ninety minutes."
I hung up and called Luca.
"Mobilize everyone we've got. Clear every flight path and road from Canada to here. I don't care how you do it. I want that helicopter landing on schedule."
"Yes, boss."
After all that, I walked to the bedside. Rachel sobbed with her head in her hands, shoulders shaking helplessly.
I draped my coat over her shoulders. The next three hours were the longest of my life.
I paced anxiously in the hallway outside.
Evans arrived and examined Sofia. I watched expert after expert rush into that tiny examination room, then hurry to the equipment room next door for tests.
First time I'd ever felt powerless. I could eliminate any enemy, but I couldn't take away even a fraction of my daughter's suffering.
Don't know how long passed before the door finally opened.
Evans came out, pulled down his mask, and nodded at me. "She's okay."
All the strength drained from my body. My back hit the cold wall. Barely stayed on my feet.
"However—" Evans's tone turned serious. My heart jumped back into my throat. "The test results are in. It's a rare acute pediatric immune system disorder. Came on fierce. Needs long-term treatment."
Rachel let out a choked sob. I turned. She looked at me with red-rimmed eyes, her expression full of despair and helplessness.
I crouched down and took her hand. "Rachel, I'm here. Sofia will be okay."
That night, I sat on one side of the bed, Rachel across from me. Neither of us spoke. We just quietly watched over Sofia. Until dawn, when the first ray of sunlight came through the window and fell on Sofia's long lashes.
She stirred. Slowly opened her eyes.
Then she looked up toward Rachel by the bed, asking softly. "Mommy... is he the one in the photo holding you?"