Chapter 8

Emilia’s POV. It was very quiet morning as I took care of Francesca, a peaceful kind of silence that I didn’t often experience in this house. She was babbling on the living room rug, caught up in her own little world with her toys spread out in front of her. Her tiny fingers reached for blocks, stacking them with a level of concentration I couldn’t help but smile at. Moments like these were rare, and as her nanny, I’d come to savor each one. I leaned forward to help her with stacking the bloks, but then a sharp voice – Alaric’s voice – cut through the silence. I tensed at the roughness in his fone. I didn’t know who he was talking to but the way his words bounced off the walls, sharp and intense, made it clear that he was anything but pleased. “…I’ve told you before, I don’t want excuses,” he said, his voice filtering through the slightly open door. “If this can’t be resolved by tonight, I’ll find someone who can do it properly. I don’t have time for incompetence.” Francesca looked up, her wide eyes darting around. “Is that daddy?” She murmured. “Don’t worry about it, sweetie,” I said insidead, rubbing her back softly to reassure her but it was so hard to ignore the way his voice was rising with every word. There was a pause, before bus voice cut through the silence again. “No, I don’t care how much overtime you have to pull,” he barked, his tone firm. “This is your responsibility, and I expect it to be handled accordingly. Understood?” Whoever he was talking to must have responded, but I couldn’t make out the reply. His voice was muffled for a few seconds, but then I heard his shape sigh that sounded very much like he was frustrated and exhausted. He muttered something under his breath that I couldn’t quite catch. Francesca, probably sensing that I was preoccupied in her father’s business, climbed into my lap and nestled herself against me, her small fingers clutching at my shirt as if seeking comfort. I held her close, my attention divided between her and the voice drifting down the hall. I now knew Alaric well enough by now to recognize when he was upset, but this was something else…a new level of annoyance that I’ve never experienced from him before. “Then make it happen,” he said sharply, his tone brooking no argument. “Or I’ll make sure you’re replaced by someone who can. Do I make myself clear?” The silence that followed was tense, seeming to stretch on forever before his footsteps sounded and started getting closer. Francesca looked up at me, her innocent gaze questioning, but I gave her a small smile, rubbing her back as if to reassure her that everything was fine. A few moments later, Alaric appeared in the doorway, his expression a carefully controlled mask of calm, though I could see the remnants of his frustration in the tightness of his jaw. He paused, his gaze flicking between me and Francesca, as if assessing the scene in front of him. “Emilia,” he said, his tone softened, though there was still an edge to it. “I apologize if I disturbed you.” I shook my head, shifting Francesca in my arms. “No, it’s alright. We were just here, playing,” I replied, trying to keep my voice light. He nodded, letting out a breath as he walked further into the room. “I wanted to let you know…” He paused, his gaze shifting toward Francesca before returning to me, his voice dropping slightly, “I’ve arranged for you to visit your brother tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled then.” My heart stopped, a mixture of shock and gratitude flooding through me instantly. For a moment, I couldn’t find the words, my mind struggling to process what he’d just said. I hadn’t expected him to follow through, not so soon, especially after how we had argued yesterday. But here he was, offering me a chance to be there for my brother when it mattered most. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice barely more than a whisper as I looked up at him. “Thank you, Alaric. This means more than you know.” He gave a small nod, his expression unreadable as he watched me. “I meant what I said, Emilia. I don’t do things halfway. If I say I’ll take care of something, I’ll see it through.” I held his gaze, letting his words settle over me. I wanted to say more, to express just how grateful I was, but I found myself at a loss for words. My emotions were very tangled and I could barely sort them out. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “I’ll have Allesio drive you to the hospital. You’ll have as much time as you need.” I nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. “I…I really don’t know how to thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I never thought I’d actually get the chance to be there for him.” Alaric’s gaze softened, a flicker of something almost like understanding passing over his face. “Family is important,” he said quietly. “I can understand that,” he added, his eyes on his daughter. “Francesca will be fine while you’re gone,” he added, glancing toward his daughter again, who had already fallen asleep in my arms, her chest rising up and down steadily. “I’ll make sure everything is handled.” I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips as I looked down at Francesca, her soft breaths the only sound breaking the silence. “Thank you,” I said again, my voice barely more than a whisper. “For everything.” Alaric watched me for a moment longer before giving a curt nod, his expression unreadable. “Get some rest, Emilia. You’ll need it for tomorrow.” With that, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone with Francesca. I held her close, my mind racing as I tried to process everything that had just happened.