Hidden Flames [The Ludovicas: Second Generation Book Three]

One | Tears

SILVIO
(Kian's Father)

It was quite late at night and I didn't expect my wife to show up at my office door, looking sleepy.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" I asked her, lifting my head from my laptop screen.

She walked towards me. "Because you were not there. I was waiting for you."

I pushed back my chair and grabbing her waist, pulled her over my lap, making her sit sideways.

She leaned against me and squinted her eyes at the laptop screen.

"Huh. So you were secretly watching these girls after leaving me alone in bed", she said playfully.

I pinched her waist making her chuckle. "I see, you want someone younger now that I am getting old." She patted my chest. "It's okay, maybe I will also find someone--"

Leaning down, I gently bit her neck, showing my disapproval. "I dare you to say that again."

"So you can find other girls and I can't find--"

"Lili", I warned.

After almost thirty-seven years of marriage, my wife knew I would never even spare another woman a glance in that way and I know the same about her. But that didn't stop me from feeling possessive over her even after all these years.

She chuckled, kissing my jaw. "Still so possessive."

"Mhmm." I captured her lips in a short, chaste kiss.

Before she could distract me further, I pulled back from the kiss and stroked her hair.

"Who are they though?" She asked, this time a little serious.

"Ralph sent me a list of girls, they are our men's daughters. They are suitable for being Kian's wife and I am going through their bio to see which one will be the best."

"Oh. These girls...they volunteered?"

"You know I would never force anyone to marry him. Ralph specifically told everyone to let their daughters decide if they are willing to do this."

She nodded, glancing at the screen. "Any progress?"

I shook my head, sighing. "I shouldn't be the one choosing a girl for him, Kian should do it himself. But that boy has left me no choice. If he remains like this..."

She frowned. "You said that there was nothing to worry about..." She said referring to the conversation we had years back.

"I know but I thought he might get better, I thought he might find someone. It's all nice to be the quiet one but at the same time it's so fucking empty inside you." I cupped her cheek, caressing it. "You filled that emptiness for me, Lili. You loved me from the very first day."

I added, "It's not that my family doesn't love me but they are obliged and conditioned to do that but you...you loved me despite everything."

Lilith hugged me, resting her head on my chest as I continued, "I just want Kian to find that someone too. He's thirty, he will bring himself to destruction like this. We have to do something."

"It's okay, we will find someone. Don't worry."

"It seems impossible. He thinks I love troubling him but I just want him to be happy."

"I know..." She snuggled closer to me. "We will find someone."

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IRENE