Everything Julian had never quite been allowed to be would be given to a child that didn't yet exist. And now—now Bianca was offering him a different path.
A darker one. A path that didn't wait for inheritance.
His mind raced. "You're insane," he muttered.
"Think about it, Julian," she said softly. "And come back to me when you are absolutely sure. I'll be waiting."
He stood there, staring at nothing, everything around him fading into the background as his thoughts spiraled inward.
Don Genovese. Tempting, terrifying.
Behind him, he heard her footsteps retreat.
*****
Luca insisted on taking Veronica to her checkup himself—as he always did. He held her hand as they walked in, his grip firm, unconsciously tightening every time someone brushed past them. Veronica simply laced her fingers with his.
Soon enough, they were separated.
