One year later
I stepped into my house, my black handbag in one hand and keys as well as my phone in the other. I could hear the TV from the door, followed by laughter.
I took off my shoes before making my way to the living room. A smile tugged my lips at the sight of Olessia with my little girl.
"Mommy!" She squealed at the sight of me and rushed around the couch to reach me.
"Hey, fiore," I grabbed her in my hands before hugging her close to me. She was the ray of sunshine I found in my life after leaving my past behind. I put her down and squatted down to be at eye level with her. "Did you have fun with Aunty Olessia?" She smiled and nodded as her hands played with my long brown hair.
"She's a delight, as always," I smiled at my best friend as I rose to my feet and took my daughter's hand in mine. "I ordered some pizza, I hope you don't mind," I shook my head as we entered the small kitchen of my small two-story house, which I'd bought almost three years ago. It had three bedrooms upstairs, one of which was mine and the other was Evara's. The third one I had turned into a small home office which I used when I didn't feel like going out to the Matrix's corporate offices.
I picked up my daughter before setting her on the kitchen island and opened one of the pizza boxes. Evara's eyes lit up as she gently clapped her tiny hands, making me smile.
"Nate is coming over soon," Olessia said as she sat close by on one of the high chairs. I grabbed a knife as my friend looked after Evara on the counter and cut a smaller piece for her to enjoy. "He sounded quite distressed for whatever reason," I glanced at Olessia who watched my daughter with a smile.
"Perhaps it's something with Matrix?" She shrugged before grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza for herself. Nate began to focus on his business more than he had three years ago after he started to teach. He only had a few postgraduate classes a week and was primarily occupied in his office at the Matrix.
He not only stepped down due to his lack of time with his wife, Amelia, but he also wanted to help me as much as possible after I gave birth to my daughter. It was safe to say that the little girl had the best uncles, aunts, and a very loving and generous grandmother, Natalia. The latter was particularly ecstatic as Amelia was pregnant with her and Nate's little one.
"He's been away in his mind a lot over the past few days," Olessia added. "I've seen him a few times as I was babysitting here, and as much as he was delighted to see Eva, he seemed lost in some thought. I have no clue what is burdening him. I even asked Amelia. She's just as clueless."
"Strange," I said, knowing that Nathanial would tell at least one of us about whatever was burdening him. I caressed my daughter's short and light brown hair as she munched on her small piece of pizza. My heart warmed at the sight of her happy and healthy. It was all I ever wanted after the horror that was her delivery.
We ate while chatting about our days until we heard the door close and saw Nathanial appear in his usual attire. He wore his glasses, a dark button-up shirt and black dress pants, looking particularly tired.
"Well, hello to you," Olessia greeted her brother as he walked over to her and wrapped an arm around her as a greeting. He smiled at me before his eyes looked down at the small girl beside me. Evara smiled and practically squealed at the sight of one of her favourite people.
I smiled as Nate grabbed her in his strong arms and lifted her up, making her laugh. He placed a kiss on her forehead and looked over at me as my daughter rested her head on Nate's shoulder.
"I have to talk to you," he said. I was about to ask for more details but Olessia did it for me.
"Is there something wrong?" He shook his head before addressing his sister.
"I have a few things to discuss, that's all. Could you take Eva while we talk?" Olessia nodded and grabbed Evara before heading into the living room. I wondered what had started to bother Nate that prompted him to come here so suddenly with a supposed problem. He walked over to the chair where his sister had previously sat and took a seat. I offered him some pizza, but he graciously declined. "I know what you're going to say, but please hear me out," I frowned, anticipating that he was about to reveal his contemplation of something irrational.
"Go on," I said, patiently waiting for his answer.
"Vittoria is getting married," it's been some time since Nate and I spoke about the family across the ocean. "And she wants nothing more than for you to-"
"No, Nate-"
"Bri, please listen. She misses you and wants you to accompany her on her big day. I understand your concerns about someone being there, but she assured me that he wouldn't stay for long," he explained, just as I started shaking my head in disagreement.
"I am not ready, Nate-"
"It's been three years, Brielle. Three long years that man has suffered without the slightest clue that he is a father," I said, my gaze averted as I made my way towards the sink behind me. Through a small window, I could see the gazebo nestled on the side of my property. Resting my hands on the counter, I listened as Nate continued to speak. "I gave you two years, and now it's been three. I made it clear, that I would tell him if you didn't, but I'm giving you one last chance to handle it on your own."
"Are you insane?" I turned around to face him, trying to keep my voice at a minimum.
"You are keeping his child away from him-"
"Because I want to keep her safe," I whisper-yelled. "The moment she becomes known to them she'll be a living target. Let her have a childhood, Nathaniel-"
"I, out of all people, know what you mean, but you have to understand that Nicolas would never cause any harm to her." I almost rolled my eyes.
"I believe that, but he is not the one who will hurt her. It's the damn world he resides in." Nate sighed as he stared at me and ran a hand through his slightly curly brown hair.
"Brielle, I was the first to agree to keep her identity a secret but I told you the time would come."
"What do you really know about him?" Nate frowned, his expression filled with concern. "There's no way you're inviting me just because of Vittoria. I would be there for her in a heartbeat, but now I have even more at stake. I can't risk my daughter's safety for the sake of a wedding."
"All I'm asking you to do is to pull him aside and talk to him. I don't need you to make up and fall back in love. I just want him to have something to be happy about." I scoffed as I averted my eyes from Nathanial.
"So, you are doing this just for him?"
"It is actually Vic's celebration. I just think it would be a good idea to finish this once and for all." I met his eyes again. "I would be taking you as my plus one."
"You should take Amelia. I do not belong there after all of the wreckings that occurred." Nate chuckled before placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Vittoria truly wants you to be there, and let's not forget that Amelia is pregnant," he reminded me gently. "I don't want them to find out about this situation in such a manner." Nate let out a sigh of resignation. "Besides, he already has enough on his mind," I added, intending to delve deeper into the matter, but he swiftly changed the topic. "Evara could stay with my mother. I've already discussed it with her."
"So, I'm the last one to find out about something that directly involves me?" Nate smiled innocently, then walked into the living room and scooped up Evara in his arms. She wriggled playfully as he tickled her, and eventually, they settled together on the light grey couch.
Meanwhile, I stood in the kitchen, contemplating what Nate had just revealed. I wasn't prepared in the slightest to face him, let alone share the truth that I had kept his daughter hidden from him for the past three years, vanishing from his life without a trace.
Olessia walked away toward the bathroom while I approached the couch, overhearing Nate speaking to Evara in Italian. He was the main reason she had some knowledge of her father's language. Deep down, I knew that eventually, they would have to meet. The weight of keeping such a precious little girl away from her father was becoming unbearable for me. One day, I promised myself I would gather the courage to tell him and put an end to this secret.
Little did I know that day would arrive sooner than anticipated.
As I approached, Evara's face brightened with a smile. A nearby phone suddenly rang, causing me to flinch involuntarily. Nathaniel reached for his phone, swiftly moving to the side as he carefully lifted Evara from his lap.
"Excuse me," he said, promptly leaving the room, leaving me to sit down next to my daughter. She hopped off the couch and eagerly darted towards her toys scattered across the room's centre.
I followed her little figure, observing as she immersed herself in play. I couldn't help but imagine how things would have been different if I had returned to him. I had opportunities to do so before she was even born, but fear got the better of me, and I made the choice to stay away.
The mere thought of having him by my side as we cared for our daughter made my heart flutter with anticipation. Deep down, I knew he would despise me once he discovered the truth. That much was clear.
There hadn't been a single day since I learned about the pregnancy that he hadn't crossed my mind. And I doubted there ever would be.
I couldn't help but wonder if he still harboured feelings for me despite the pain I caused him.
Above all, I hoped for his forgiveness regarding the greatest secret I had kept from him thus far.