"For years now, the only people in my heart have been you and the two children. There's no room for anyone else, and I won't let anyone disturb our life in this house."
From that moment on, everything I'd ever felt for him was gone.
Gianna brought me back out once I'd changed. Dante was crouching in front of Valentina. "Don't you remember your father?"
Valentina stared at him in terror, shrinking back step by step, then ran to me and clung to my leg. Both small fists gripped the fabric of my skirt, but she didn't make a sound.
"She was only a few months old when you left. You didn't come back for five years. How would she possibly remember you?"
Valentina was only five, but with the grime washed from her face, she looked like a little porcelain doll.
Dante scooped her up and tried to coax her. "Be a good girl, Valentina. Say 'Papa.' I'm your papa."
She only found him strange. Her small lips pressed into a thin line as she studied him with wide, cautious eyes.
He hadn't raised her. After a few more attempts with no response, his patience ran out.
"Serafina, you've come and you've been seen. When are you planning to go back?"
I stared at him, stunned. Then I laughed.