Chapter 139

Althaia

My heart ached for them both. The fact that my mother was going to tell him, maybe even holding onto the hope that they could finally be together.

But no.

For her own protection and mine even, she had to accept her life with Gaetano. I couldn’t fathom the turmoil that Alexei must be experiencing right now. To have been on the verge of learning that he was going to become a father with the woman he loved, only to have his own mother hide the truth and carry it with her to the grave.

Nestor was frozen in shock as he looked at my mother before gaining composure and followed Alexei.

I remained silent, allowing my mother the space she needed to compose herself. My gaze turned to Damiano, who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and a neutral expression on his face. I wondered if he was interested in the story or didn’t care at all.

He quickly let me know he wasn't interested when he impatiently tapped the watch on his