Chapter 5 - THE CHILD HE NEVER KNEW EXISTED
Damen insisted on calling a doctor.
Serena resisted.
Then admitted she hadn't had a proper prenatal appointment in six weeks.
His face changed.
"Six weeks?"
She looked away.
"I couldn't afford it."
He stared.
"You were working eleven-hour shifts?"
She nodded.
"While pregnant?"
"Damen, I needed rent."
He closed his eyes.
The guilt was almost unbearable.
He had spent eight months surrounded by wealth.
Cars.
Security.
Properties.
Accounts.
And his wife had been counting tips to survive.
He looked at her.
"Let me help."
She shook her head.
"No."
"Serena."
"I can't just go back."
His expression softened.
"I'm not asking you to."
She stared.
He continued.
"I'm asking you to let me make sure our son is healthy."
Her eyes filled.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then nodded.
At the hospital, the doctor performed an examination and ultrasound.
Damen sat beside Serena.
He looked more nervous than she'd ever seen him.
The room darkened.
The screen flickered.
Then a small shape appeared.
Their son.
Moving.
Alive.
The doctor smiled.
"There's your baby."
Damen stared.
His eyes filled.
Serena watched him.
He reached for her hand.
Stopped.
Then looked at her.
"May I?"
She nodded.
He took it.
The doctor pointed to the heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Damen began crying again.
Serena squeezed his hand.
May you like
And for one brief moment, they weren't a mafia boss and a woman who had faked her death.
They were simply two frightened parents seeing their child for the first time together.
