I nodded, and he stepped out, but not before giving the man another look.
“I had no knowledge of your existence until recently,” the man confessed. “But now that I’ve found you, I want to make up for lost time.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I didn’t expect us to meet like this,” he replied, his eyes glistening. “But I hope you’ll give me a chance and let me be a part of your life.”
I blinked in confusion. “Are you a relative of ours?”
He looked down, his expression laden with regret. “My name is Alphonso Gambino.” His voice cracked. “I am your biological father.”
My mother’s words come back to me.He didn’t know about you.Find your father; he will protect you.
My breath caught in my throat as I tried to process his words. “What? Are you sure?”
A soft chuckle escaped him, though it was tinged with sadness. “I’m one hundred percent certain.”
“She wrote about you in her letters. She said I could trust you,” I whispered.
“You can trust me.” His expression turned solemn, and his eyes were glistening. “Your mother was an amazing woman. I am so sorry about her loss. And I am so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
I gave him a small smile as tears fell down my cheeks. “Me too.”
He wiped the tears away and cupped my cheek. “I loved you even when I didn’t know you, and I will spend the rest of my days loving you more. I will protect you. No harm will ever come to you again.”
Feeling the warmth of his hand against my skin, I inhaled deeply, noticing the spicy scent of his cologne. I closed my eyes, letting the world around me fade away, yet my mind raced with unanswered questions.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
He drew back slightly when my eyes fluttered open. “Dante and Nico flew to Italy the moment they discovered you were missing. That’s how I uncovered the truth about your mother and found out about you. I still don’t know if I like Nico,” he admitted.
A soft giggle escaped me, but it quickly turned into a wince as sharp pain shot through my ribs.
“Are you alright? Should I call the doctor?” he asked, his eyes wide with worry.
I bit my lip, willing myself not to cry. “No, it’s fine. I’m okay,” I assured him, my heart aching from more than just the physical pain.
In that brief moment, an enveloping silence settled around us that felt both heavy and strangely comforting.
“There was someone else in the cell with me,” I said. “Valarie. Mom’s sister.” My lips quivered. “I think they killed her.”
He stood up and carefully wrapped me into his arms. I cried against his shoulder, welcoming his fatherly affection.
“I’m so sorry you had to endure that.” He pulled away and sat back on the chair, holding my hand in his. “But Gigi, Valarie is alive.”
“She’s alive?”
He flashed a warm smile. “Yes, though it was touch-and-go, but she’s here in this hospital and has been asking for you.”
“Can I see her?” I asked, my face breaking into a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear.
“Of course, but can I have more time with you? I just found out you’re my daughter,” he replied gently.
The thought of spending more time together filled me with a sense of peace.
“Does this mean I can start asking you a million of get-to-know-you questions?” I teased.
He chuckled. “Ask away.”
