9

9
Alaric’s POV.
Watching Francesca, I couldn’t ignore the shift in her over the past few days. Since Emilia had come into our lives, my daughter had started to smile more, her laughter echoing through the house in ways I hadn’t heard in far too long. She was brighter, more joyful, and that alone made me feel less stressed. It was like a burden if some sort had been lifted off my shoulders.
With Emilia at the hospital today, seeing her brother through surgery, I’d decided to take the day off to spend it with Francesca. Work could wait for once. My daughter needed me, and I wanted to give her something real-something beyond my often-busy, distracted self. Besides, it wasn’t often that I saw her this happy. She deserved this, even if just for the day.
We spent the morning in the playroom, surrounded by her favorite toys. Francesca had an impressive collection, courtesy of my attempts to keep her entertained in my absence, but none of them seemed to bring her the joy that she got from simply having company. Today, Allesio had joined us, his usually stern face softened as Francesca insisted he sit beside her, eagerly pulling out toys for him.
“Look, Uncle Al,” she chirped, shoving a soft teddy bear into his arms. Her little giggles filled the room, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. It was rare to see Allesio relax around her, but today, he seemed more at ease, humoring her as she pressed toys into his hands.
“She’s quite the force, isn’t she?” I remarked, watching as Francesca climbed onto Allesio’s lap, urging him to help her stack a tower of blocks.
“More than you know,” Allesio replied with a chuckle, trying to keep up with her energy. “She’s relentless. Can’t believe this tiny thing has so much energy.”
Francesca’s laughter rang out again, and she looked at me, her face lighting up with pure joy. “Daddy, help us!”
I moved over, settling next to her, and we worked together to build her tower higher. She was beaming, her little hands reaching for blocks. And then, in her excitement, she blurted out, “Mommy would like this!”
My body tensed for a moment, caught off guard. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard her refer to Emilia as “Mommy.” She’d continued doing it since Emilia came back that day, and while I’d brushed it off at first, it seemed to be happening more often. I glanced over at Allesio, who looked distinctly less than pleased, his jaw tightening slightly.
“Francesca,” I said gently, brushing a hand over her soft curls. “Why do you call Emilia ‘Mommy’?”
Francesca blinked up at me, her innocence disarming. “Because… she’s nice to me. She loves me,” she said simply, as if that explained everything. “And she looks at me like Mommy did.”
Her words tugged at something in me. I felt guilty. Very guilty. She had never known her mother, yet it seemed natural for her to seek that kind of love and connection. Emilia had brought a warmth to our home that Francesca had clearly noticed, and in her childlike way, she’d associated that warmth with motherhood.
But a glance at Allesio told me he didn’t share my sentiment. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he avoided meeting my gaze. I let out a sigh, sensing there was more on his mind than he was letting on.
“Something bothering you, Allesio?” I asked, my tone low but firm. I wanted him to speak up. We had an understanding, he and I-blunt honesty was something I relied on him for.
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking toward Francesca, who had shifted her focus back to her toys, humming a little tune to herself. Finally, he spoke, his voice pitched low so only I could hear.
“I still don’t trust her,” he said, his voice tight. “Emilia. This whole nanny situation… it doesn’t sit right with me.”
I frowned, turning my full attention to him. “She’s been nothing but good to Francesca. You’ve seen it yourself.”
“That’s not the point,” he replied, shaking his head. “It’s not about how she treats Francesca. It’s about her motives. She showed up at the hospital out of nowhere, got close to your daughter in a matter of days. It’s too convenient.”
“Are you suggesting she has some hidden agenda?” I asked, keeping my tone even, though I could feel my patience beginning to fray. “She came to us out of a genuine need-her brother was in the hospital, and she needed a job.”
“But she accepted your terms far too easily,” Allesio said, his expression hardening. “She’s either very clever, or she’s playing a long game.”
I exhaled, glancing over at Francesca, who was now focused on a small puzzle, her little fingers fitting the pieces together with fierce concentration. I didn’t want to believe that Emilia could be anything but sincere, especially when she had done so much for Francesca. But Allesio’s words had already planted a seed of doubt in me.
“Allesio,” I said quietly, my tone laced with warning. “You know I trust your judgment, but sometimes your caution borders on paranoia. Emilia has been nothing but kind to Francesca. Until we have actual evidence of ill intent, I won’t act on suspicions alone.”
He met my gaze, his expression unwavering. “That’s my point, Alaric. You’re letting her get too close. She’s already made herself indispensable, and now Francesca is calling her ‘Mommy.’ What happens if you find out she’s been lying to us?”
My jaw tightened, and I looked away, feeling frustration. I didn’t want to consider the possibility that Emilia could be hiding something, not when Francesca had grown so attached to her. But Allesio had always been cautious for a reason. He was one of the few people I trusted completely, and his words carried weight.
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” I said finally, my voice low. “But until there’s reason to doubt her loyalty, she stays.”
Allesio nodded, though I could see he wasn’t fully convinced. He watched Francesca, his gaze softening slightly as he observed her playing with her puzzle. I could tell he cared about her, in his own way, even if he didn’t show it as openly as I did.
“She deserves stability,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “I just hope Emilia doesn’t disrupt that.”
I glanced back at Francesca, who was now looking up at us, her bright eyes curious. She had no idea about the conversation we were having. To her, Emilia was simply the woman who cared for her, who made her laugh and held her close when she needed comfort. And for now, that was enough.
“Francesca,” I called softly, crouching down beside her. She looked up, her face lighting up with a smile as she abandoned her puzzle to reach for me.
“Yes, Daddy?” she asked, her voice filled with innocent enthusiasm.
I took her tiny hands in mine, smiling down at her. “You know that I love you very much, don’t you?”
She nodded, her gaze serious as she looked up at me. “Yes, Daddy. And I love you too. And Mommy.”
I swallowed, glancing back at Allesio, who was watching us with a guarded expression. I knew he wanted me to correct her, to tell her that Emilia wasn’t her mother, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Francesca needed someone to fill that role, even if only in her heart. And if Emilia could provide her with a semblance of the love she’d lost, then who was I to take that away from her?
Here I was, trying to balance my daughter’s happiness with the risks that came with opening our lives to someone new. But as I looked down at Francesca, her small hands clutching mine, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. To crush her heart.
“Alright, sweetheart,” I said softly, pulling her into a gentle hug. “Let’s finish that puzzle, shall we?”
She beamed up at me, her worries forgotten as she returned to her game. I looked at Allesio, who just shook his head and glanced away like he had nothing more to say to me.