26. Summer
26
SUMMER
T he soft hum of activity in Enzo’s kitchen did little to soothe my nerves. I stood by the counter, absently straightening plates while Enzo stirred something on the stove. The aroma of garlic and fresh herbs filled the air, but I could barely focus on it. My mind was spinning, and my chest felt like it was tied in knots.
“They’re going to take it well,” Enzo said, glancing at me over his shoulder. His tone was calm, but the slight furrow in his brow betrayed his own tension.
“How can you be so sure?” I asked, crossing my arms tightly.
“Because they love Ava,” he said simply. “And they’ll love her even more once they know the truth.”
I let out a shaky breath, leaning against the counter. “What about the fake relationship? They’re going to feel betrayed, Enzo. We lied to them.”
“They’ll understand,” he said, turning off the stove and wiping his hands on a towel. “We’ll explain everything. We did what we thought was best for Ava at the time.”
“And for the foundation,” I muttered, guilt twisting in my stomach.
Enzo stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. “Summer, we’re doing the right thing now. That’s what matters.”
The sound of the doorbell jolted me, and I froze.
“They’re here,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I’ve got it,” Enzo said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading to the door.
I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm.
The living room filled quickly as Enzo’s parents, Elaine and Richard, entered, followed by Beth and her husband. Their familiar laughter and warm smiles made the moment feel both comforting and impossibly heavy.
“Ava!” Elaine called, her face lighting up as Ava ran into the room. “There’s my little angel!”
“Hi, Grandma Elaine!” Ava said, throwing her arms around her.
Richard chuckled, patting Ava’s head. “I see Bunny’s still in charge, huh?”
“Always,” Ava said proudly, holding up her ever-present stuffed companion.
As they settled into the living room, Enzo caught my eye and gave me a small nod. It was time.
Dinner was lively at first, the conversation flowing easily as everyone complimented the food and swapped stories about their week. But as the plates were cleared and the table fell into a comfortable lull, Enzo straightened in his seat.
“There’s something we need to talk to you about,” he said, his voice steady.
The shift in his tone was impossible to miss, and all eyes turned toward him.
“What is it?” Elaine asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Enzo glanced at me, and I nodded, my throat tightening.
“It’s about Ava,” he began, his gaze moving around the table. “There’s something you don’t know.”
Richard leaned forward slightly, his expression concerned. “What’s going on?”
Enzo took a deep breath, his voice calm but deliberate. “Ava is my daughter.”
The words hung in the air like a bombshell, and for a moment, no one moved.
“What?” Beth said, breaking the silence.
“It’s true,” Enzo said, glancing at Ava, who was happily coloring at the other end of the table, oblivious to the tension. “I only found out recently.”
Elaine’s hand went to her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oh, Enzo…”
Richard’s gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. “You didn’t tell him?”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I didn’t. Not until recently.”
“Why not?” Beth asked, her tone sharper than her father’s.
I took a shaky breath, gripping the edge of the table. “When I found out I was pregnant, Enzo was just starting his residency. He was already overwhelmed, and I thought… I thought I was protecting him. And Ava.”
Elaine reached over, placing a hand on mine. “That must have been so hard for you, Summer.”
“It was,” I admitted, tears stinging my eyes. “But looking back, I know I made the wrong choice. Enzo deserved to know. Ava deserved to know.”
Enzo reached over, squeezing my hand. “We’re here now,” he said softly, his voice steadying me.
Richard cleared his throat, his voice even but firm. “And the fake relationship? Was that part of keeping the secret?”
I winced, guilt washing over me. “The foundation’s board prefers to fund families with traditional structures. We thought pretending to be together would help Ava get the funding she needed for her surgery.”
Beth’s husband raised an eyebrow. “So, you lied to everyone?”
Enzo leaned forward, his gaze steady. “We did what we thought was best for Ava. But this isn’t about the past—it’s about moving forward.”
Elaine’s voice was gentle but curious. “Are you still pretending?”
I hesitated, glancing at Enzo. He gave me a small, reassuring smile before answering.
“No,” he said. “What we’re building now is real. For Ava. And for us.”
The silence that followed felt heavy, but not hostile. Slowly, Elaine smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You’ve always been a wonderful son, Enzo. And Summer, you’ve raised an incredible little girl. I’m so proud of both of you.”
Richard nodded, his expression softening. “It’s a lot to process, but you’re doing the right thing now. That’s what matters.”
Beth leaned back, crossing her arms. “Well, you’ve always been full of surprises, Enzo.”
Enzo chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. “You have no idea.”
After dinner, Elaine pulled me aside as the others cleared the table. “You’re a strong woman, Summer. But you don’t have to do this alone anymore.”
I nodded, tears pricking my eyes again. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
She smiled, squeezing my hands. “In fact, I think you all need some time together. Just the three of you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, frowning slightly.
Elaine’s smile widened. “Richard and I have a cabin by the lake. It’s peaceful, perfect for a little getaway. I’ll take care of everything. You just focus on being a family.”
My chest tightened, a mix of gratitude and anxiety swirling within me. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
As the night wound down and Enzo walked me to the car, I couldn’t help but feel a small spark of hope.
“They took it better than I expected,” I said softly.
“They love Ava,” he said simply. “And they’ll love her even more with time.”
I glanced up at him, my heart full. “Thank you, Enzo. For everything.”
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “This is just the beginning, Summer.”
As I drove home, Ava sleeping soundly in the backseat, I felt a quiet sense of peace settle over me.
Maybe, just maybe, we were finally on the right path.