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"You mean to make sure I was still around, that I hadn't tried to run off with my daughter."
"Yes, you caught me. I'm here to check on you."
I sit up on the sofa, rubbing my eyes to wake myself up fully. I'm not in the mood to deal with this guy, or to reassure him so that he can go home and reassure Stefano. "Matteo. Everything's fine. You can report that to your brother." I snap.
“Half brother." He chuckles.
"Whatever." I sigh deeply, too tired to give out this much energy.
"You look like shit," Matteo says, dragging a chair closer to me.
"Thanks for stating the obvious," I reply sarcastically.
"But seriously. How is Elle doing?"
I sigh again; it's becoming a bad habit. But this time it's filled with resolve. A sort of acceptance. His seemingly genuine concern for my daughter reminds me that I still desperately need a donor and if I'm going to put energy into anything - it should be that.
"She's not doing well. She needs a donor. Without it, she is going to die." The words catch in my throat.
"Is there anything I can do?" Matteo asks, sounding sincere.
I stare at him for a moment. There's no harm in trying. There's no harm in asking. All he can do is say no.
"You have a sister, don't you? Stefano's half-sister?"
"I do; what about her?"
"I've never met her. I just heard about her. Do you think - do you think that you and your sister would possibly get tested? To see if you are a donor match for Elle?"
"What makes you think that anyone in my family would be a match for Elle?"
I shake my head. "I'm just desperate, Matteo. I'll ask anyone."
He chuckles. "But that's not actually true is it?"
"I don't know what you mean." My stomach knots. Maybe there was harm in asking.
"Elle is my brother's daughter, isn't she? Stefano is her father." The knots pull tighter.
I know, it doesn't take a genius to work it out when you realize I am chasing members of Stefano's family for donor tests. But Matteo's knowing is a risk in itself.
I don't want Stefano to know. I think the risk of him knowing is worse than the risk of him not knowing.
I turn towards him, staring straight into his eyes. There is no point in denying it at this point, but maybe I can still delay the inevitable of Stefano getting that piece of information.
I just need some time to work out what is going on. What he wants from me.
"Please - don't tell Stefano. I'm begging you."
He leans back in the chair, crossing his legs and I can see - I can see that he knows he has something to hold over me now. Fuck. This is bad.
"I can keep a secret." He nods.
I furrow my brows together.
"And will you and your sister get tested?" I may as well ask again, seeing as he knows now.
Matteo's eyes narrow towards me as he considers my request. Then he smiles.
