Chapter 5

His Return

5 years later“Mamma, faster!”Mateo’s laughter rang through the sunny apartment as he sprinted across the living room, bare feet slapping against the wooden floor. I pretended to chase him, catching him just before he could duck under the table. I scooped him up, spinning him around until he squealed with delight.His curls bounced into his eyes—Dominic’s eyes—and for a moment, I froze, my chest tightening with an ache I thought I’d long buried.I kissed my son’s forehead, forcing the memory away.“Alright, alright. Time to calm down, little hurricane. Mamma has work.”