Matteo’s POV
Aurora’s hands felt warm under mine. I massaged her palm and marveled at the softness of it. My eyes darted to her closed eyes and her alluring lips which were pursed because she wasn’t awake to engage in a banter with me or go against my rules.
I missed her so much, and it was sad that she waited for me to come to her and I never did. For the third time since we had been together, I watched her life flash in my own eyes and blamed everything on myself.
“I’m so sorry, mamacita. I should have believed you all the times you defend yourself. Just hang in there for me, please.” I whispered the words softly to her ears, my eyes watering as my lips touched her smooth pale skin.
She was yet to be operated on since I was yet to make the decision. I had been looking forward to being a father but I guess it wasn’t the time yet. My eyes trailed along the pipe that transported blood to her and the needle on her vein, then her protruded stomach.
The door to her ward pushed open with Doctor Luca strolling in. He didn’t look like someone who had been manhandled a few hours ago. Guilt pricked at my conscience and I wondered when I’d stop losing my temper on him.
“She will be fine, Capo.” He assured me but I shook my head in doubt, knowing that he said it just to make me feel better.
“With her present state, I don’t think so.” I disagreed.
“You need to have a positive mindset right now because I’ve come with good news.” He informed me with a small smile dancing on his lips.
“What news?” I asked, some rays of hope bursting into me.
“I spoke with the best obstetrician we have here and he said that there’s a way to save both mother and child. It’s quite risky but if anything happens, the child would have to take the brunt.” He informed me and immediately relief washed over me.
I hid my happiness with a stoic mask and squeezed his shoulder. “Just do whatever you can to save her.” I said then took a deep breath as I was about to say something I rarely said to anyone. “I’m sorry for my outburst on you earlier. I was under a lot of emotional pressure and I took it out wrongly on you.”
Surprise flickered on his countenance then disappeared immediately. “I totally understand, although I thought I would never see my family again with how firm your grip was on my shirt.” He joked and a smirk crept up my lips.
“It’s fine.”
He dug his hands into his doctor’s coat, “We have to start the operation now or we would lose her.” He said and the sudden feel of dread resurfaced.
“Please, do your best.” I urged him and flashed a final look at Aurora then left.
***********
Seating patiently by some minutes past ten while the doctors did what they knew best with Aurora was unnerving. I inclined my head with my fingers entangled with my hair then I felt someone sit beside me.
“How is she doing?” Giselle asked, occupying the next seat outside the ward while I raised my head.
“She will be fine.” I said not just to make her feel better, but to also reassure myself that she would actually be fine.
Giselle linked her fingers to mine which surprised me, but I didn’t take my hands off. “I know that my silence about Aurora got you mad at me even after everything you have done and I’m really sorry for that. But my loyalty was with her because she was ready to give my life for me.”
Her words cut deeply into my heart, reminding me of the charming qualities that Aurora possessed.
She continued, “Aurora loves you with all of her heart and I felt bad when she told me that you allowed her to leave the house because of Angelo’s claims.” She scolded softly.
I was surprised at my reaction because I would never have imagined the wife of my late underboss speaking to me like she was my mother.
“Thank you for standing by her even when I didn’t. I will never forget your act of kindness.” I replied with a flat tone even though I meant what I said.
She cleared her throat, pulling her hand away slowly from mine. “I saw something strange after Aurora was shot.” She began.
“What was that?” I interrogated, my Capo tone activated.
She ignored it and continued. “I caught the sight of the man who shot her, running towards someone. Then I saw a dark coloured wavy hair which was styled in a bun and had a resemblance to Ginevra’s hairstyle. They also had the same physique. Look, I know that it doesn’t make sense but I feel like there is a connection.” She insinuated while my brain tried to fix the pieces together.
The Camorra knew better than to strike again. Even though the relationship between Aurora and her uncle had been strained, he would never hurt her. And there were only two people who had strong motives for hurting her; Angelo and Ginevra.
Since Angelo swore that he didn’t go through with it, then it was Ginevra. But it was amusing because I shot her that night myself. If she was truly alive which I had to be sure of, then Aurora’s life was still in danger.
At that point, Angelo walked reluctantly towards us. Giselle glanced at me, her expression inquisitive at the tension brooding between Angelo and I. His cheek was swollen and red and the right side of his lower lip had a cut.
“What happened to you, Angelo?” She asked worriedly then gazed at me since he wasn’t responding. “Someone should talk to me.” She said frantically and I wondered how she would react if she learnt of what Angelo tried to do.
“I nearly killed your niece, Giselle. I’m sorry.” He confessed and the atmosphere around us became surprisingly still.
I got up to my feet to give them privacy as I couldn’t stand Angelo’s irritating presence. I’d always known him to have my back, but if he thought that he could make decisions on my behalf then he needed to have his brain checked.
I’d barely left the waiting area when I heard my name. I turned around to find doctor Luca at the spot I was earlier with Giselle standing beside him, his face bearing no emotion.
The surgery had been on for over four hours, honestly I thought it would take the whole night.
“Spill it,” I ordered and nervousness tore through me.
“Aurora is out of danger and so is your daughter.” He announced and Giselle clapped in delight while my jaw ticked, with my lips stretching into a smile.
My night just got better.