Act like my wife

25. I love you too ♥️

Tessy handed me a bottle of beer and sat down beside me on the couch facing the television. "You're really brave, Niks. The way you handled everything"

"Obviously, I didn't handle it well enough if a stranger has to pay for my daughter's medical bills. I tried to get the money, I asked the bank for a loan, even one of my bosses at the company, but nothing." I lay my head against the sofa's backrest. "I'm a failure of a mother"

"Hey sis, don't beat yourself up. We all need help sometimes. If you're gonna talk about a bad mother, then let's talk about ours."

I raised my head and looked into her eyes. "Has Mom reached out to you?"

"Has she? Girl she practically lived in my house for months, then when she saw that Jack and I were going broke, she took her things and disappeared. Now that's a bad mother, so just give yourself a break."

"Why would this Quintus guy even send me a message like this? He misses me? Just because he paid my daughter's bills, all of a sudden he thinks he has the right to talk trash to me?" I paused when I saw the amused look on her face. "What?"

She tried to force back her laughter. "The real question should be; Who the hell names their kid 'Quintus'? This guy needs to change his name if he's hoping to get laid"

"Tess!" I cracked up. "You're evil"
When we stopped laughing, she went all silent. I couldn't help but worry. "What's wrong Tess?"

"It's just that I missed you so much. The years you were away were the worst years of my life."

"I'm sorry for being so selfish. I'm so sorry"

"No, you weren't selfish. Aunt Susan took care of me, but it felt different without you, you know?"

"Well, I'm here now. You won't get rid of me easily".

"I'm counting on it." She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and I did the same. My heart wrenched as we felt each other's warmth. The last time I embraced my baby sister was before I left for the airport on the day I traveled to Spain with Geraldo. I don't know why I was so stupid to believe him when he promised me that we'd have so much money when he succeeded in his 'business'. I was hoping I'd be able to take care of my sister with the money Geraldo would make, so I stayed with him like a dummy. Even when he hit me for the first time, I thought he'd change but I was wrong. Now, I feel like the most stupid person on earth. The only smart thing I ever did was get a business degree online without his knowledge, which helped me get a job after his death. Now, I am back here with the one person I failed... I want to make it up to her so badly.

She pulled out of the hug. "Oh! Would you look at the time? I'll leave so you can rest with Bella, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow."

"Will you be okay by yourself?"

"Yeah, you stay with Bella. Good night Niks"

"Say hi to Jack and the kids for me"

She scoffed. "That's if he hasn't passed out from drinking so much." We hugged again and she drove off in her black truck.

I returned to Bella's room and watched her sleeping form. Don't worry baby, everything will be fine. After the surgery, you will feel much better. I lay next to her and prayed that it all goes well.

My phone vibrated beside me and Patrizio's name flashed on the screen. A tinge of guilt hit my heart for keeping something so serious from him.

"Hi, Vera". His deep voice greeted me as soon as I picked up.

"Hi"

"How are you?"

"Fine"

"And Bella?"

"She is fine too"

"Liar. When did you think it'd be appropriate to tell me about her condition?"

"When you tell me about Gio"

"Oh, so this is a battle now? Don't be so childish Cara"

I left the room so I don't wake up Bella. "Did you just call me childish? You're the one who is busy getting some with that Felicia chick. I doubt you're anywhere near Gio."

He sighed. "My parents took Gio from me. They want him as their successor, but I'm working towards getting him back"

I gasped. "That's kidnapping. Can't you report them?"

"They have the police eating out of their hands. There's no point."

I rested my back against the wall. "I understand."

"How is Bella now? When is the surgery?"

"I'm taking her to the hospital tomorrow."

"I'll be there."

"No, don't leave Gio."

"He'll be safe with my parents, but Bella is my daughter too, I can't abandon her when she needs me the most."

My heart sunk within its walls. Despite how I've treated him, he still cares for my daughter. "Okay"

"Before you go... just remember that I love you, Mia Vera"

My face must have turned red like a tomato at his words. "Th-that's good to know Patrizio". I hung up and held the phone to my chest.

I love you too.