Chapter 38
I'm such an idiot.
How could I judge him after hearing a single sentence???
I'm soo ashamed.
Right now we are on the jet, Lorenzo speaking on phone with grandfather while his arm is wrapped around my waist.
His voice is calm as he talks, switching between Italian and English while explaining everything that happened.
“Yes, Nonno… she’s fine now.”
His arm tightens slightly around me as he says that.
I keep my eyes lowered, staring at my hands resting on my lap.
The doctor’s words still echo in my mind.
Pregnant.
My baby.
Our baby.
A strange warmth spreads through my chest, mixed with nervousness and guilt.
I misunderstood him.
I ran away without letting him explain.
I hurt him.
“And the baby?” I hear grandfather’s voice faintly through the phone.
Lorenzo’s hand moves instinctively to my stomach.
The gesture is so natural it makes my heart skip.
“The baby is fine,” he replies softly.
My throat tightens.
After a few more moments he ends the call and places the phone on the seat beside him.
Silence fills the private jet.
For a moment neither of us speaks.
Then Lorenzo turns slightly toward me.
His dark eyes study my face carefully.
“You’ve been quiet.”
I let out a small breath.
“I feel stupid.”
One of his eyebrows lifts.
“Why?”
I finally look up at him.
“Because I ran away after hearing one sentence.”
His expression softens slightly.
“You heard the worst possible part of the conversation.”
“I should have asked you first.”
“Yes,” he agrees simply.
I blink in surprise at how easily he admits it.
“But you didn’t.”
A small sigh escapes me.
“I thought… you didn’t want this baby.”
His gaze drops to my stomach again.
His hand gently rests there.
Something protective flashes across his face.
“I want this baby.”
The words come out firm.
Certain.
My chest tightens again.
“And you,” he adds quietly.
My eyes meet his.
“You ran away thinking I didn’t want a family with you.”
His thumb slowly traces small circles over my waist.
“I’ve wanted a life with you since the moment you walked into mine.”
My heart stutters at his words.
I look away quickly, trying to hide the sudden heat rising to my face.
“You’re very dramatic,” I mutter.
A low chuckle escapes him.
“I’m Italian.”
For the first time since everything happened, a small laugh leaves my lips.
The tension between us eases slightly.
Then Lorenzo suddenly leans closer.
His gaze turns serious again.
“You’re not running away again.”
It’s not a question.
I shake my head slowly.
“No.”
His shoulders relax slightly.
After a moment, his hand slides down to gently rest over my stomach again.
His expression changes.
Softer.
Almost… amazed.
“There’s really a baby in there,” he murmurs quietly.
I swallow nervously.
“Yes.”
A small smile slowly appears on his face.
“My baby.”
Then his eyes lift to meet mine again.
“Our baby.”
The rest of the flight passes quietly.
Lorenzo keeps one arm around me the entire time, like he’s afraid I might disappear again if he lets go.
Outside the jet window, the clouds slowly part as Italy comes into view.
My stomach twists slightly.
We’re back.
The moment the jet lands, Lorenzo helps me stand carefully.
His hand stays firmly at my waist as we walk down the stairs together.
The cold Italian air brushes against my face, familiar yet strange at the same time.
Black cars are already waiting.
Of course they are.
Nothing in Lorenzo’s world ever happens without preparation.
The drive to the mansion is silent.
I watch the scenery pass outside the window while Lorenzo’s fingers remain intertwined with mine.
Every few seconds his thumb moves slightly, like he’s reassuring himself that I’m still there.
Finally the large iron gates of the mansion appear.
They slowly open as the car approaches.
My heart beats a little faster.
The mansion looks exactly the same.
Grand.
Intimidating.
And somehow… comforting.
The car stops in front of the entrance.
Before Lorenzo can even open the door—
The main doors of the mansion swing open.
Grandfather storms out.
His white hair moves slightly in the wind, his sharp eyes already locked on Lorenzo.
Uh oh.
Lorenzo steps out first before helping me carefully.
The moment we stand properly—
Smack!
Grandfather slaps Lorenzo hard on the back.
The sound echoes loudly in the quiet courtyard.
“How dare you make my granddaughter cry!”
I blink in shock.
Lorenzo doesn’t even flinch.
Grandfather glares at him like he’s ready to hit him again.
“You let her run halfway across the world alone,” he continues angrily.
“Do you have any idea what kind of stress that causes a pregnant woman?!”
My eyes widen slightly.
Lorenzo sighs softly beside me.
“Yes, Nonno.”
“You idiot boy.”
Grandfather shakes his head dramatically.
Then he suddenly turns to me.
His expression instantly softens.
“My child, are you alright?”
I nod quickly.
“I’m fine, Nonno.”
He studies my face for a moment before patting my cheek gently.
“Good.”
Then he shoots Lorenzo one more glare.
“If you make her cry again, I’ll disown you.”
And just like that—
He turns around and walks back into the mansion.
Leaving Lorenzo standing there.
I stare at him.
He stares at the door.
Then he exhales slowly.
“Well,” he mutters.
“At least he didn’t bring the cane.”
The next morning arrives faster than I expected.
Before I even fully wake up, Lorenzo is already moving around the room.
I blink slowly, watching him button his shirt while speaking quietly on the phone.
“Yes… we’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
He ends the call and turns toward me.
His eyes soften immediately when he sees I’m awake.
“Good morning.”
His voice is calmer than usual.
Almost… careful.
I push myself up slightly against the pillows.
“Where are we going?”
He walks toward the bed and sits beside me.
“To the doctor.”
My stomach twists a little.
Even though I already know about the baby… hearing it again still feels surreal.
Lorenzo notices my expression.
His hand gently takes mine.
“Relax,” he murmurs. “I’m just making sure everything is perfect.”
Twenty minutes later we’re already in the car.
Lorenzo insisted on coming himself.
No drivers.
No delays.
His hand rests protectively on my thigh the entire drive.
When we arrive at the hospital, the doctor greets us warmly and guides us into the examination room.
I lie back on the bed while the nurse prepares the ultrasound machine.
Lorenzo stands beside me, his hand wrapped tightly around mine.
For a man who commands entire cities without blinking… he suddenly looks nervous.
The doctor applies the gel on my stomach.
A moment later the screen lights up.
The doctor studies it carefully.
Then his eyebrows lift slightly.
“Hmm.”
Lorenzo immediately straightens.
“What?”
The doctor moves the scanner slightly, focusing on the screen again.
Then he smiles.
“Well… this is interesting.”
Lorenzo’s grip on my hand tightens.
“Doctor.”
The doctor turns the screen slightly toward us.
“Congratulations.”
He points at the monitor.
“You’re having twins.”
For a moment the room goes completely silent.
My brain struggles to process the words.
“Twins?” I whisper.
The doctor nods happily.
“Yes. Two heartbeats.”
My eyes widen.
Two babies.
Two.
Beside me, Lorenzo hasn’t moved.
At all.
I slowly turn my head to look at him.
His eyes are locked on the screen like he’s just seen something impossible.
The doctor chuckles softly.
“Mr. De Romano ,you might want to sit down.”
Lorenzo slowly exhales.
Then a quiet, stunned laugh leaves his mouth.
“Twins.”
His gaze moves to my stomach again.
Then back to the screen.
Then back to me.
A slow grin spreads across his face. “Well,” he murmurs.
“That explains why you fainted.”