Chapter 11 Over the next few months , Talla fell completely in love with life in Crema . Everything felt lighter here - the golden italian sunshine , the friendly neighbors who waved from their gardens , the way Isabella chattered in broken hallan mixed with English as she skipped to preschool each morning . For the first time in years , Talia woke up actually excited about the day ahead . She and Luigi had become real friends . Maybe it was the shared experience of being foreigners, or maybe Luigi just had this calm , steady presence that made everything feel easier . Whatever it was , having him next door felt like the best kind of luck . Isabella was completely smitten with him and his little dog Blanco . She'd spend hours at his place , coming home with paint on her clothes from eyes crinkled . art projects or our in her hair from baking disasters that made Luigi laugh until his This was the life Talia had dreamed of building - simple , peaceful , full of genuine happiness , One afternoon , Isabella came bouncing home from school , her backpack sliding off one shoulder as she made a beeline for Luigi's door instead of their own " Uncle Luigi Guess what ? My school's having a family fun day and all the mommies and daddies have to come together , Will you be my daddy ? " Talia nearly dropped her car keys . By the time her brain caught up with what Isabella had just said , it was too late to stop her . Luigi opened his door and crouched down , his expression gentle and amused . " That sounds like fun , little one . But you should probably check with your mom first , don't you think ? " Isabella spun around , all bright eyes and innocent hope . " Mommy , can Uncle Luigi come be my pretend daddy for the fun day ? Please ? " Talia felt her cheeks burn . Kids had zero piter - she'd learned that lesson about a thousand times by now . " Sweetie , Uncle Luigi probably has his own things to do , and we can't just- " I'd love to come , " Luigi said easily , standing up . " If you're okay with it , of course . No pressure either way , " There was something warm in his dark eyes, something that made Talia's heart skip in a way she'd almost forgotten was possible . He wasn't just being polite - he actually seemed to want to spend the day with them . Isabella was practically ctically bouncing on her toes , and Talia couldn't bring herself to crush that excitement . " Okay then . That's ... that's really nice of you . Thank you . " " My pleasure . Isabella's great company . " Isabella shrieked with joy and threw herself at Luigi , smacking a kiss on his check . " You're the second - best person in the whole entire world ! " Luigi grinned , catching her easily . " Only second place ? Who hear me ? " " My mommy , duh ! " Talia felt like her heart might actually hurst from happiness The next day at the school event was like living in some perfect alternate reality . The other parents kept commenting on what a lovely family they made , how sweer Luigi was with Isabella , how well - matched they seemed as a couple . Talja just smiled and tried not to read too much into it . But Luigi was so natural about everything - playing silly games with Isabella , chatting with the other parents , bringing Talia coffee without being asked . He acted like they'd been doing this together for years . They spent the whole day as a pretend family , and honestly ? It felt incredibile . Like maybe this was what normal , healthy happiness looked like . 23.08 You Wanted Her Happy WITH MY GLORY ? I Made You Childless WITH YOUR BLOODLINE Chapter 11 As s they were getting ready to leave . Isabella spotted a gelato cart and started begging for a cone . Talin handed her some euros , and Isabella insisted on going by herself like the independent four year old she was becoming . Talia was secretly following a few steps behind when she saw the collision happen - Isabella bumped into someone coming the opposite direction and tumbled backward onto the cobblestones . " Bella " " Talia rushed forward and scooped up her daughter , her heart racing . " Are you okay , baby ? Did you get hurt ? " She was completely focused on checking Isabella for scrapes , running her hands over her little arms and legs to make sure nothing was broken . She didn't notice the man standing frozen in front of them . Didn't see the way his face had gone chalk - white , like he'd seen a ghost . Not until he spoke her name in a voice that made her blood turn to ice . " Talia Swann . " Even after five years of freedom , of building a new life , of finally feeling safe - she'd recognize that voice anywhere . Trevor Kence