Chapter 90
A R I A N A
It has been two days, two days since I told Dante the truth in the bathroom and I walked away.
My phone has been silent, he has not calle or sent a message. He has not even come.
I tried to tell myself it was for the best but a small stupid part of my heart kept hoping maybe he would want usmaybe he would come.
But he didn’t.
Of course he didn’t.
Why would he want us? A ready made family.
A mess he never asked for he made his choice and now accepting it hurts.
I had given up the hope was gone It was just me and my kids.
Like it always was.
Dante didn’t want us.
He never did, and now that I told him the truth and he may not no about the twins even if he didn’t it won’t change a thing, he already rejected Asher of course he’d reject the twins.
I was currently sitting at our small kitchen table the kids were around me.
We were doing homework.
Asher was drawing a picture, Isabella was reading a book and Sophia was struggling with her math.
“Mummy I don’t get it” Sophia whined pushing her paper away.
“Sorry baby let’s try again,” I said my voice sounded tired.
“Okay”
Just then the doorbell rang cutting through our moment. I let out a sigh wondering who it was cause if it was Sarah she’d probably just slip open the door cause she had an extra key.
Could it be Phil?
Cause I’ve been avoiding his calls and text messages since that night.
God I’m a horrible person.
“I’ll get it!” Sophia yelled jumping up.
“No!” I said a little too quickly as I stood up. “I’ll get it you keep working p>
I walked to the door pulling it open instantly and I froze.
Fuck!
No!
It can’t be, I was probably seeing things.
It can’t be Dante Russo standing in my door step.
He stood there in my hallway clad in a dark jeans and a simple shirt looking so different.
Softer.
My mouth felt dry
I couldn’t speak.
I couldn’t move.
“Who is it Mummy?” Sophia called from behind me and before I could stop her she was at my side peeking around my legs.
She looked up at the tall man. “Who are you?” she asked her voice full of curiosity.
Dante’s eyes moved from my face down to my daughter.
His expression changing thr hard lines softened, he looked… surprised and something else
He knelt down so he was at her level.
“I am a friend of your mother’s,” he said his voice calm It was the gentlest I had ever heard him speak.
“My name is Dante. What is your name p>
“I’m Sophia,” she said, smiling now. “Are you here to help with homework? It’s really hard p>
Dante looked up at me for a second then back at Sophia. “I could try to help If your mother says it is okay p>
Sophia didn’t wait for my permission she grabbed his hand. “Yes! Come on p>
She pulled him into our apartment.
I just stood there watching it happen feeling like a dream.
Dante was in my home.
He let Sophia lead him to the kitchen table.
Isabella looked up from her book.
She studied Dante with her serious eyes and Asher watched him too his head tilted.
“Who is he?” Isabella asked me.
Before I could answer, Sophia did. “He’s mummy’s friend! His name is Dante! He’s gonna help with math p>
Dante looked at the papers on the table and then at my children.
His children.
I saw his throat move as he swallowed, he seemed overwhelmed.
He pulled out an empty chair and sat down slowly. “So,” he said looking at Sophia’s math paper. “What seems to be the problem p>
Sophia immediately started explaining pointing at the numbers.
Isabella went back to her book but I saw her watching him over the top of the pages.
Asher kept staring.
He had a thoughtful look on his face.
After a few minutes Dante was actually helping Sophia.
He was patient.
He explained things in a simple way she was listening looking like she was understanding.
My heart was beating so fast.
I just leaned against the doorway watching this impossible scene.
I still couldn’t digest what was happening right now, it was too much to take in.
Asher spoke cutting through my haze.
“Are you the man?” he asked Dante.
Dante looked up from the math paper. “What man Asher p>
“The man who paid the money at the hospital so the doctors could fix my heart p>
The room went very quiet.
Isabella put her book down and Sophia stopped talking.
Dante looked at Asher his expression was so careful. “Did your mother tell you that p>
Asher shook his head. “No I heard the doctor talking, he said a man paid everything, he said it was my… my father.” Asher said the last word softly like he wasn’t sure of it. “Was it you p>
Dante didn’t look at me.
He kept his eyes on our son before he nodded slowly. “Yes Asher, It was me p>
Asher was quiet for a moment thinking then he gave Dante a small shy smile.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
That simple thank you seemed to hit Dante harder than any shout or accusation.
I saw his eyes get bright as he blinked quickly and looked down at the table.
“You are very welcome Asher,” he said, his voice thick.
He looked up then his eyes finding mine across the room and I could almost swear that the anger was gone, the ice was gone all I saw was pain and wonder and a million questions.
Like he wanted to say so much but didn’t know how to begin.
“So you’re our daddy?” Isabella asked her again.
I gulped a lump.
Dante didn’t answer.
“You said yes to Asher’s question, does that mean even the part where he asked about you being our daddy… is that also true p>