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I pull out my phone to text Angelo.
Taking Lou home. She’s too shaken up for school. Will explain more later.
Angelo’s response is swift.
I can cancel the contractor if you want.
Oh,fuck. I forgot all about the contractor coming to Perfezione. I glance down at Lou. “The contractor is supposed to meet us at Perfezione today. Do you want to go there, or would you rather go back to Angelo’s?”
Lou looks up at me, her eyes still wet with tears. “Can… can we go to Perfezione?” she asks in a small voice.
I nod, relieved that she wants some semblance of normalcy.
No. We’re heading to Perfezione right now.
On our way, I spot Lou’s favorite bakery. “How about a treat?” I suggest, guiding her inside. Soon, she’s clutching a warm paper bag with her favorite donut and a cup of hot cocoa.
As we walk toward Perfezione, Lou’s small voice breaks the silence. “Mom?” she says, her voice trembling. "Is… is Jonah going to take me away because he’s my dad?”
My heart shatters at the fear in her voice. I stop in my tracks, kneeling down in front of her. The busy New York street fades away as I look into my daughter’s tear-filled eyes.
“Lucille Saldano, listen to me,” I say, my voice firm but gentle. “Jonah will never,evertake you away from me. Do you understand?”
Lou nods hesitantly, but I can see the doubt in her eyes.
I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “Jonah might be your biological father, but that doesn’t make him your dad. A real dad is someone who loves you, protects you, and is there for you every day. Jonah isn’t that person.”
Lou’s lower lip trembles. “But he said?—”
“I know what he said,” I interrupt gently. “But he’s not well, Lou. He’s sick, and he needs help. That’s why he's been acting so scary. But I promise you, Angelo and I are working very hard to make sure Jonah never gets near you again.”
I cup her face in my hands, looking directly into her eyes. “You aremydaughter, Lou.Mine. And no one, not Jonah, notanyone, will ever change that or take you away from me. I will always protect you. Always.”
Lou’s face crumples, and suddenly, she’s in my arms, her small body racked with sobs. I hold her tight, feeling my own tears start to fall.
“I’m scared, Mom,” she whispers into my shoulder.
“I know, baby,” I murmur, stroking her hair. “I’m scared too. But we’re going to get through this together. You, me, and Angelo. We’re a team, remember?”
I feel her nod against my shoulder. We stay like that for a long moment, huddled together on the busy sidewalk, people streaming around us. In that moment, nothing else matters—not Perfezione, not the contractor, not even Angelo. Just my little girl in my arms, needing her mother’s comfort.
Finally, Lou’s sobs subside. She pulls back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Mom?” she says, her voice small but steady.
“Yes, sweetie?”
“I love you. And… and I’m glad you’re my mom.”
Fresh tears spring to my eyes as I pull her in for another hug. “Oh, Lou. I love you too. More than anything in this world.”
As we stand up, hand in hand, I feel determination course through me. No matter what it takes, I will keep my daughter safe. From Jonah, from the world, from anything that threatens to harm her.
Because she’s not just my daughter. She’s my heart, walking outside my body. And I’ll fight heaven and earth to protect her.
As we approach Perfezione,I spot a woman standing in front of the shop, her eyes scanning the building critically. She’s heavilypregnant, her rounded belly straining against a pair of well-worn overalls. Her dark hair is pulled back with a brightly colored scarf, vibrant blues and greens that seem to match her energetic demeanor.
I feel Lou’s hand tighten in mine, a small whimper escaping her lips. I give her hand a reassuring squeeze before addressing the woman.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” I call out, my voice cautious.
