Chapter 51: A New Kind of Loyalty

The serene family moment was shattered the second Antonio’s men informed him of an unexpected visitor. Valentina. The name alone stirred something dark within him, and Antonio’s gaze hardened as he absorbed the news.

“She’s in the living room,” one of his guards murmured, glancing towards the door. “She said she wanted to make amends.”

Antonio’s jaw clenched, and he turned to Isabella, who had Luca’s small hand in hers, gently guiding him toward his room. Her expression held a quiet strength, as if ready to stand by him, no matter the storm that might await them both.

He softened slightly, giving her a small nod. “Stay with me,” he said in a low tone, his hand resting briefly on her shoulder. She nodded, understanding the request for what it was—a need for her calm presence to anchor him.

Once Luca was safely settled in his room with one of Antonio’s men, Antonio and Isabella entered the living room. There sat Valentina, as striking as ever, dressed in luxurious clothing that seemed a stark contrast to the warmth of their home. She looked up, her eyes holding a hint of desperation masked by confidence.

“Antonio,” she began, her voice soft, almost pleading, “I made a mistake. I realize that now. I want us to be a family again. For Luca’s sake.”

Antonio’s gaze was unyielding, his arms crossed as he regarded her with a cold distance. “You left that family, Valentina. The night you placed Luca in a basket and walked away, you abandoned him. You lost the right to call him your son.”

Valentina’s face hardened. “He’s still my son,” she insisted, her tone sharpening. “I have a right to be in his life.”

Isabella glanced at Antonio, watching the way he stood protectively between her and Valentina. His voice dropped, each word laced with quiet fury. “Luca has only one mother—my wife, Isabella De Luca.”

The words fell like stones, heavy and final. Valentina’s gaze darted to Isabella, resentment flaring in her eyes. “You think *she* can replace me?” she hissed, glaring at Isabella. “You really think a meek woman like her could ever live up to what we had?”

Antonio’s eyes narrowed. “What we had was a lie, Valentina. We were never a family. You left, remember? Isabella is the one who stayed. She’s the one who loves Luca like a true mother.”

Valentina sneered, bitterness evident in her tone. “So, that’s it? You’re replacing me with *her*?” She scoffed, her gaze scanning Isabella disdainfully. “You think this... girl can handle our world, that she’s capable of standing beside a man like you?”

A dangerous glint entered Antonio’s eyes. “Isabella is more than capable. She has more courage and grace in a single day than you ever did in our entire relationship.”

Valentina’s gaze hardened, her voice dropping low and venomous. “I’m the woman you once loved, Antonio. Remember? We were a power couple, envied by everyone. You can’t just erase all of that.”

Antonio didn’t flinch. His loyalty and affection were resolute. “The man who once loved you doesn’t exist anymore, Valentina. I’m done with lies and betrayals. My loyalty belongs to Isabella, and to Luca. They are my family now.”

Valentina’s face twisted, her hand raised in a flash, aiming for Isabella. Before she could even make contact, Antonio moved, his reflexes quick and sharp as he blocked Valentina’s hand, his grip firm and unyielding.

His voice was icy, filled with restrained fury. “Don’t you dare. You lost your right to be a mother the moment you chose to betray us.” He roughly pushed her hand away, guiding her toward the door. “Get out.”

Valentina struggled against him, her voice shrill. “This isn’t over, Antonio! I gave you everything!”

“Get. Out,” he repeated, his voice steely, pushing her out of the door without another glance back. Valentina stumbled, casting one last furious look at Isabella before the door shut behind her, cutting off her presence from their home.

Once the door was closed, Antonio stood there, taking a deep, steadying breath. His shoulders dropped, the tension gradually leaving his body. He turned to Isabella, his expression shifting as he looked at her—no longer hard, but filled with a quiet warmth, a rare softness that he reserved only for her and Luca.

Isabella stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. “Are you okay?” she asked gently, her voice steady, even though she had just faced the ghosts of his past.

Antonio’s hand covered hers, his grip firm yet gentle. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “For standing by me. For... being here.”

She smiled softly, her fingers tracing small circles on his hand. “I’m not going anywhere,” she replied, her voice filled with quiet certainty. In that moment, they both knew the bond between them had deepened, forged by trust, loyalty, and an unspoken promise of love and healing.