Chapter 24: A Mother’s Vow

Isabella lay on the bed, Luca’s small, warm body curled up against her, his breathing soft and steady. She gently stroked his dark hair, his resemblance to Antonio so striking even in sleep. He was so innocent, so untouched by the darkness that surrounded his father’s world. For a brief moment, Isabella felt the weight of everything that had happened in the past month settle over her.

A month ago, she had been a free woman with dreams of a fairytale romance. She had imagined her life unfolding with warmth, kindness, and love, the way she had always dreamed. She hadn’t envisioned being thrust into the role of a wife, and certainly not a mother, against her will. And yet, here she was, holding Luca close, a child she had no part in bringing into this world but who was now an inextricable part of her life.

Gazing down at his peaceful face, Isabella felt a deep, maternal protectiveness bloom within her. It surprised her, the strength of it, the intensity. She hadn’t known that love could be born so quickly, out of nowhere, for a child who wasn’t even hers. But Luca had a way of making her feel needed, something she had craved for so long. He’d taken her hand without hesitation, looked up at her with those bright, trusting eyes, and in that moment, she had known that she would do anything to keep him safe.

As she held him, Isabella made a silent promise. She may not have control over her marriage or over Antonio’s fierce, domineering presence in her life, but she would be a constant, loving presence for Luca. She would protect him from the darkness, from the world of deals and danger that his father brought him into. She would give him something real, something pure—a childhood untouched by the cruelty that had taken away her own dreams.

Luca stirred in his sleep, shifting closer to her, and a small smile tugged at the corners of Isabella’s lips. “I’ll protect you, mio caro bambino (my dear child),” she whispered. “No matter what it takes.”

She didn’t know if she would ever come to understand Antonio or the life he had forced her into, but she was certain of one thing: she would not let this life hurt Luca. She would shelter him, nurture him, give him a sense of normalcy in a world that was anything but normal.

As she held Luca, her mind drifted to Antonio. He was a force, a powerful, unyielding presence who controlled every aspect of her life now. He had been relentless, forcing her into this marriage, and yet, there were moments when she caught a glimpse of vulnerability in him, a hint of something more beneath that hardened exterior. She wondered what kind of life he had endured to make him this way, what kind of heartbreak had shaped him into a man who could do something so cruel and yet be so tender with his son.

But she didn’t want to dwell on him. Antonio was Luca’s father, yes, but Isabella’s priority was now the child resting peacefully in her arms, a child whose dreams and innocence she was determined to protect at all costs. And while Antonio had made it clear he would control her every step, he couldn’t control her love for Luca.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and Isabella’s heart leapt in her chest. She knew who it was, and her body tensed instinctively. She didn’t want Antonio to see her here, lying in bed with Luca as if she were his mother—as if this were a real family. But she knew that ignoring him would only lead to more trouble, so she carefully shifted, sitting up as she called softly, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Antonio stepped inside. His face was unreadable, his gaze sharp as it fell on her and Luca. There was a flicker of something—maybe surprise, maybe a faint softness—in his eyes as he took in the sight of his son snuggled up against her.

“Is he asleep?” Antonio’s voice was low, a quiet rumble that barely filled the room.

Isabella nodded. “Yes. He was tired.”

Antonio moved closer, his steps slow, almost hesitant. He stopped at the edge of the bed, his eyes lingering on Luca before shifting to Isabella. “He didn’t come to my room tonight,” he said, a note of frustration mixed with something else—an emotion Isabella couldn’t quite identify.

“He needed comfort,” she replied, her voice steady. “He’s just a child, Antonio. He doesn’t understand what’s happening. He only knows he needs someone to hold him, someone to make him feel safe.”

Antonio’s jaw clenched. “I am his father. It’s my job to protect him.”

Isabella met his gaze, her own eyes fierce. “Then maybe you should think about what kind of environment you’re creating for him. Children don’t just need protection, Antonio. They need love. They need stability. They need to know they’re safe.”

A flicker of pain crossed Antonio’s face, but he quickly masked it. “And you think you can give him that?”

“Yes,” Isabella answered without hesitation. “I can. And I will. Because he deserves it.”

Antonio’s gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing as he took in her words. But Isabella didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. She held his stare, her own resolve unwavering.

“You think you understand this life, Isabella?” he asked, his tone sharp. “You think you know what it takes to survive in my world?”

“I may not understand everything, but I know one thing,” she replied firmly. “Luca deserves a chance at happiness. He deserves to be loved. And I don’t care what kind of world you live in—I’m going to give him that chance.”

Antonio looked away, his expression tense, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Isabella could see the conflict in his eyes, the war within him between the ruthless mafia boss and the father who, despite everything, wanted the best for his son.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Fine,” he said, his voice low. “If you want to be Luca’s mother, then be his mother. But don’t get too comfortable, Isabella. You may think you’re here to protect him, but this life… it has a way of taking everything you care about.”

Isabella’s heart tightened at his words, but she refused to let fear take hold. “I’m not afraid, Antonio. I’m here for Luca. And nothing you do will change that.”

Antonio’s gaze lingered on her, a strange mix of respect and resentment in his eyes. For a moment, he looked as if he might say something else, but he simply turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone with Luca.

Isabella looked down at the sleeping child, her heart aching for him. Antonio’s warning echoed in her mind, but she pushed it away, focusing on the promise she had made to herself and to Luca.

She would be there for him, no matter the cost.

Because while Antonio might believe that love was a weakness, Isabella knew that love was the one thing that would keep her going, the one thing that would give her the strength to fight for Luca’s future—even if it meant standing against the man she was now bound to.

With a final, gentle kiss on Luca’s forehead, Isabella lay down beside him, holding him close as she closed her eyes. She may not have had the fairytale she once dreamed of, but she would make sure that Luca had his. In a world filled with darkness, she would be his light.