The Balotelli-Bale Series Book #3: The Italian Belle

Chapter 53: The Bellingerres

Wayne's POV
My downhill journey started after Marianna ended what we could have shared; a life together. I have never shown interest in a woman enough to establish a stable relationshil. I have never offered my heart to a woman. Maria was the first and unfortunately, the last. I haven't quite recovered from that would have been relationship.

A son came out of it. He's a beautiful timid boy. He often disappoints me with his softness. He's weak and emotional. Even my daughter is tougher than him.

In total, I have three children. Two daughters and one son. I barely consider Marc a son.

My eldest, Raymond is fourteen. He's the result of a careless whim with a woman in Costa Rica. I was drunk and I barely remember it but he is the result. I found out about him a year after Maria broke up with me. I took him from her and paid her well to keep her away. Raymond is the kind of son any father would be proud to have. He's interested in the family business. I have a feeling he will be the one to succeed me in the company. He's obedient and sharp. But he's not my favorite.

My favorite, is my second born, Marc Anthony. I brought him home at the same time I brought Ray home. I love Marc the most not because he makes me proud but because he came from the womb of the woman I love. I wish he could be more like Ray; with a backbone.

Then there's little Naila, my youngest. I adopted her but I'm the only one who knows that. As far as anyone is concerned, like my other children she's just a product of my promiscuous nature. She's slightly over a year younger than Marc. They fight a lot. Actually, Marc doesn't get along with either one of his siblings. I'm an only child and I can't pretend I understand their relationships with each other.

"Daddy what you mean to say is that he's leaving the Manor to live in Italy? Why?" Naila stalked me through the silent dull almost lifeless hallways of the manor. Apart from the human portraits of our ancestors on the wall, there's no evidence of life here.

"Because his friend has invited him to spend a few months there."

Naila overtook me to block my path. She's little but quite formidable. She never gives up no matter what. Even if I ignore her she will keep hustling me for answers. She strongly believes whatever Marc gets, she should get double. If he's leaving to live with a friend in a foreign country she will want to do that too! "Which friend? He has no friends."

"His name is Nickolas. And no, you can't go with him. Now can I go see my son off?"

"I will come too. Can I have his bedroom now that he is gone?" She took my hand giving me the biggest brightest smile.

"What's wrong with your room?"

"Marc's faces the garden. I love the view. Can I have his things thrown out to make room for mine?"

"No you can't have them thrown out. Moved, yes. Thrown out, no."

"I'll get to it after we make sure he's gone. At least now there will be peace in this house. Ray and I never fight. He's the problem and if he leaves it is better."

They don't like each other. Unity is not a word I can use to describe this family.

"Marc," I entered his bedroom. The boy has packed like he is never coming back. It saddens me that Maria is taking him but I can't have Nate on my case. I would rather share Marc. Nate has been off the grid for years since the fight before Sinclair's wedding. In my opinion, when someone like that withdraws into the darkness, it's not good. "Aren't you coming back spot?"

He looked around the room. "I'll be there for a while."

"Until winter and then you come home."

"Okay." He agreed.