Cries of His Heart (Italian Billionaire's Heart BWWM)

Chapter 4: Birth of Salvatore

Two years later

Lucrezia woke up that morning like she had done every morning since moving to the city. The sunlight shining through the window of her Soho apartment illuminated the room in shades of pink and gold. She looked at the clock on the wall and realized it was later than usual. She put on a brave face for her two-year-old son, Salvatore, as she set up their new home and juggled her 9-5 job. There was no time to take a break; she was constantly running around, getting groceries, and looking after her mother, Beatrice. But in the back of her mind, she knew she had to find time to take care of herself, too.

She got out of bed and put on her robe. She looked in the mirror and saw a young woman who was so different from the one she had been two years ago. Back then, she had been an innocent and naïve young girl in a small village in Italy. Now two- years later, she was 19 years old and living in the big city of New York. She was an independent and strong woman like she had always hoped to be.

Lucrezia went to the kitchen and started making breakfast for her son Salvatore and her mother Beatrice. As she was cooking, she thought about Arturo. How he had broken her heart two years ago when he had said he was going to marry someone else. She tried to push away the pain of that memory, but it was still there, lingering in her heart.

As she served breakfast, she noticed a picture frame sitting on the kitchen table. It was a picture of Lucrezia and Salvatore taken many years ago. She smiled as she remembered the day when the two were running around the park hand-in-hand, laughing, and playing. Salvatore had been so carefree then, his little face lit with joy. Lucrezia sighed and put the picture back on the table.

"My son deserves a father, but I can't be the one to provide it."

She sighed in sorrow, wishing Arturo could meet Salvatore, his only son. She knew it was impossible; he had a family he couldn't betray. But at least she could take comfort knowing Don Gaetano would watch over Salvatore like a guardian angel, making sure the young boy was well taken care of.

She gave a slight smile. Isn't that what every mother wants for her child? A sense of peace and hope for the future. Lucrezia's voice echoed through the house as she yelled for her mother to wake up for breakfast. She put her little son-Salvatore on his highchair and gave him a few of his favorite toys to keep him busy. She heard him giggle and coo as she headed upstairs. With each step, her dread grew. She found her mother lying motionless in bed. Lucrezia shook her shoulder, called for her, but there was no response.

"Mother? Wake up. I already made breakfast for us. It's time to wake up." Her voice started to shiver. "Mother, please. This isn't funny anymore. I'm serious, mother. Wake up!" She screamed as she shook Beatrice frantically.

Tears welled in her eyes as she touched her cheek, feeling the cold skin of death. A shrill scream escaped her lips, causing Salvatore to cry downstairs. In a panic, she ran down and phoned for help, hoping it would arrive in time.

Lucrezia scrambled to snatch Salvatore from his highchair, her chest heaving with a deep pain. She bolted up the stairs, desperate to reach her mother's side. But despite the intensity of her emotions, she could not deny the feeling of defeat that clung to her like a shroud; if only they hadn't come to New York, this wouldn't have happened. Yet, as time seemed to stand still in the face of tragedy, she clung tightly to her son, sobbing his name, and begging him to hold on as an ambulance screamed in the background.

The paramedics arrived with a flurry of activity, along with the somber presence of the local police. Lucrezia's neighbor, Selene, hurried to see if there was anything she could do. When she saw Beatrice's body being carried away, Selene's heart broke for Lucrezia and she ran to wrap her in a comforting embrace. With a trembling voice, Selene asked what had happened, but Lucrezia could only cry out through her tears, her grief beyond expression. Taking Salvatore in her arms, Selene promised to stay by Lucrezia's side until morning.