Chapter 21 The last three days felt like the most normal thing in the world . Morning walks around the block , Trevor making sandwiches for lunch while Isabella played with her toys , evenings sprawled on the couch watching whatever cartoon she picked out . It was exactly what Talin had always imagined a real family would look like . But she couldn't help noticing Trevor looked like hell . His skin had this ashy , gray tone , and more than once she caught him bolting to the bathroom right after meals . Finally , she had to ask. " Are you sick or something ? " Trevor actually had the nerve to smile . " Worried about me ? " Talia shrugged , keeping her voice matter - of - fact " Not really . Just wondering if Isabella and I should get out of here early so we're not in your way " " No. " The word came out sharp and final . " We had a deal . One month means one month . " Since he was being stubborn about it , Talia let it go . They were almost done anyway . On their final day together , Trevor got completely dressed up - expensive suit , hair styled like he was going to a business meeting - and took them to some ridiculously fancy restaurant downtown He'd rented the entire top floor . Halfway through dinner , he pointed toward the floor - to - ceiling windows . " Check that out . " Talia and Isabella both turned just as fireworks started exploding across the Manhattan skyline , painting the night in brilliant colors . Trevor asked over the noise , " You remember what today is , right ? " Talia glanced at her phone . Their anniversary - the day they'd made things official all those years ago . She used to circle this date on her calendar , plan special dinners , get excited about it for weeks . That felt like a different lifetime now . " Nope , " she said simply . Something sad flickered across Trevor's face , but he just nodded . " That's fine . Last time anyway " When the fireworks ended , he slid some legal documents across the table . Talia skimmed them and saw " Asset Transfer Agreement " at the top . " What's this about ? " " Everything goes to you and Isabella . " His voice was steady , like this was no big deal . " Don't fight me on this , Talia . She's my daughter . Who else would I leave it to ? " " Just sign it . I've got more money than I know what to do with anyway . " After some back - and - forth . Talia signed . If he wanted to set Isabella up for life , whatever . She'd manage it until Isabella was old enough to handle it herself . As they were finishing dessert , her phone buzzed . Luigi . " Wrapped up my business here . Flying back tomorrow if you want to travel together ? " She typed back quickly : " Perfect See you at JFK . " 23:10 You Wanted Her Happy WITH MY GLORY ? I Made You Childless WITH YOUR BLOODLINE 95.24 Chapter 21 open That night , after Isabella had completely crashed from all the excitement , Talia was almost asleep when she heard her bedroom door op quietly . She kept her breathing steady but watched through barely - open eyes as Trevor's s silhouette moved toward the bed . He leaned down and pressed the gentlest kiss to her forehead - so light she almost didn't feel it . Then he moved to Isabella's side and did the same . He stood there for what felt like forever , just watching them . Talia was starting to get annoyed when he finally crept back out . The next morning . Trevor drove them to the airport in complete silence . The sun was just coming up , painting everything golden . Luigi was waiting at departures , and the moment he saw them , he took Talia's bags and wrapped his jacket around her shoulders when the morning wind picked up . Trevor watched the whole interaction without saying a word . For once in his life , he was completely quiet . He just stood there as they walked toward the terminal . Talia was almost at the gate when something made her turn around one last time. Trevor was still standing in the exact same spot , hands in his pockets , looking smaller somehow than she remembered . She'd seen the medical files he thought he'd hidden - stomach cancer , stage four . Five years of destroying himself had finally caught up with him . He'd destroyed his health over the past five years . But that was his choice , his consequences to deal with Everyone had their own path to walk , their own choices to live with . This was his As she linked her arm through Luigi's and headed toward their new life , Talla felt something she hadn't experienced in years - complete peace with the past . Isabella bounced excitedly between them , chattering away in her mix of English and Italian . " Mamma , quando arriviamo a casa ? I want gelato ! And I want to see Bianca ! Is she gonna remember me ? Oh , and can we make pasta again ? The kind with the - come si dice - the little shells ? " Luigi chuckled , ruffling Isabella's hair . " Certo , principessa . Bianca has been waiting for you . She's been so sad without her favorite little friend . " " Really ? Davvero ? " Isabella's eyes went wide with delight " Uncle Luigi , can we get gelato on the way home ? I want that with chocolate chips ? " Isabella , what do you say when you ask for something ? Talia reminded her gently . " Per favore , per favore , per favore ! " Isabella giggled , tugging on Luigi's band . " And can we have a picnic with Blanca in the garden ? And make those little cooldes ? " Luigi smiled down at her , his expression soft and warm . - Whatever you want , tesora . " Watching her daughter chatter excitedly about their life in Crema - their real home now - Talia felt her heart settle into place . This was what happiness looked like : not grand gestures or expensive gifts , but gelato rans and garden plenies and a little girl who felt safe and loved . " Ready ? " Luigi asked softly , his eyes meeting Talja's . " More than ready , " she said , squeezing his arm as Isabella skipped ahead toward their gate . 23:10 You Wanted Her Happy WITH MY GLORY ? 1 Made You Childless WITH YOUR BLOODLINE 96.8 % Chapter 21 " Andiamo . Let's go home . " Behind them , New York - and everything it represented - faded into memory .