Page 184 of Shades of Loyalty
“Oh…” I whisper, the realization settling over me like a slow storm.
“Yeah,” Daniel mutters, already dreading the teenage years ahead.
I glance back at the kids, who have now turned their attention entirely to each other. Mary leans forward; her eyes soft but filled with something else. Something deeper.
Enzo inches closer. And before I can even blink, their lips meet in a soft kiss—a tentative, innocent thing, but full of unspoken meaning.
My heart skips a beat, and I catch my breath.
Fuck.This is so sweet. Seeing my daughter fall in love, seeing her grow up… but with Enzo? Oh God.
I mean, I’m not surprised. Seriously. But still… It’s, uh… unexpected.
They grow up too fast. Too much. Fuck.
Daniel’s grip on my hand tightens, his jaw clenched. He’s still watching them, and his gaze is no longer the relaxed kind of a father watching his kids play.
“What do you think, hubby?” I murmur.
“I think we’re totally fucked,” he replies, his voice low, tinged with amusement—but there’s an edge of concern behind it.
I can’t help but chuckle. “They’re not even blood related. It’s probably just a harmless little crush.”
Daniel doesn’t look convinced. His eyes don’t leave them, and I can almost hear the overprotective calculations running wild in his mind.
I reach for his hand again, threading our fingers together. He lets me, his gaze still locked on Mary and Enzo.
He’s always been like this. So protective.
And I love him too much for it.
Before either of us can say anything else, Matteo’s voice rings out from across the field.
“Dad! Can you help me?”
I turn to see our ten-year-old standing a little way off, his brow furrowed as he struggles with a tangled kite string. It’s a small thing, but it’s important to him. Matteo’s always had that spark of independence, but sometimes—like today—he still needs a little help.
Daniel doesn’t hesitate. Of course he doesn’t.
If it wasn’t for the annoying toddlerwhat-if-I-die-if-I-don’t-put-this-in-my-mouthphase and the dramaticdo-you-still-love-me-even-though-I-just-threw-my-foodstage, I’d almost want another child with him.
Almost. For now. But who knows, right?
He rises from the bench and walks over to Matteo, kneeling beside him. His strong hands move gently as he works through the knot. Matteo watches, wide-eyed, his expression full of trust and admiration.
I smile softly to myself.
Matteo’s growing up too, but Daniel is still that steady presence. His hero.
Daria and Misha come barreling toward the swings, breathless and glowing, their laughter chasing behind them. Childhood—so fleeting, so loud—fills the air.
I watch Daniel with our son. The warmth of the sun on my face. The weight of our past behind us, the calm of our present stretching ahead.
Despite the complicated moments, the ones that left us uncertain and raw, I know this: We’ve made it through everything. Together.
Enzo and Mary are still on the swings. Their hands are entwined now. The kiss has ended, but something about the way they look at each other tells me… this isn’t just a moment. It might be the beginning of something.
We are fucked indeed the second Victoria finds out.
