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She hid my own daughter from me for six years.
"Can you pass me my teddy bear?" Elena asks innocently unaware of the turmoil in my mind.
I turn towards where her little hand is pointing.
"Which one do you want?" I ask as I walk towards the dresser.
"The elephant. The pink elephant. Her name is also Elle."
"This one."
"Mmhmm." She nods, smiling.
I walked back over to the bed and hand her the pink elephant toy. It's big, and I can see it's been around for a few years. It looks like it's been washed enough times to fade it and soften the stitching.
Elle holds the elephant in her hands and brushes her little hands over the soft pink fur.
"My mom never told me about you. Are you friends with her?"
I cock my head to the side. "Friends? No. Elena, I am your father."
Amelia might want to hide the truth, but I refuse to. Elena deserves to know who I am.
Six years have already been wasted. Why waste another moment?
Her head turns quickly towards me, her big brown eyes wide with shock. "My dad?" She asks in disbelief.
"Yes," I confirm. "Did your mother ever tell you about your father? Where he was all these years? Did she say anything about me?
Her little brows knot together, and she bites her lip. The same gesture her mother has when she's nervous or uncomfortable.
"Um Maybe. I don't remember."
She starts tugging at the elephant's ears.
"Did you want to ask me anything, Elena?"
She shakes her head quickly and shifts ever so slightly away from me. She looks awkward and uncomfortable. I hook the remote back onto the side of the bed. "It's here if you need it - when you want to lower the back of the bed again. Do you know how it works?"
She nods tightly.
I brush my hand across her cheek. Her skin is soft and warm like Amelia's. It's so fascinating how she can look like me and Amelia at the same time.
"What are you doing?" Amelia's voice comes from behind me, tight and full of panic.
I don't bother turning to look at her.
With one last glance at my daughter, my child, I turn towards the door and walk out of the room. Brushing past Amelia in silence.
"I'll be right back, sweetie." I hear Amelia saying to Elle.
I'm halfway down the passage when she whispers my name with force.
"Stefano." She snaps coldly.
I turn to glare at her. She is boldly glaring right back. How fucking dare she.
"What is it, Amelia?" I reply in a bland tone.
