"Uh… excuse me?" Her eyes flicked sideways immediately—instinctively—toward Luca.
"I had nothing to do with it," Luca said quickly, raising both hands in defense before she could even form the accusation.
"I didn't ask for tea," Vee repeated, narrowing her eyes at him now instead of Nonnina.
Before Luca could say anything else, Nonnina continued as if she had simply been waiting for her moment.
"Diavolino said you are to bear the heir," she added matter-of-factly.
Luca physically dropped half an inch in his seat. He genuinely considered disappearing into the floor or the table.
Or anywhere that wasn't this exact moment in time.
"I'm getting on in years," Nonnina went on, completely unfazed by the collective internal collapse happening in front of her. "The tea will speed things up. When I see the piccolo bambino, I can close my eyes and be happy with my death."
Vee slowly turned her head toward Luca again. Her brows lifted so high they nearly disappeared.
