Chapter 17 - Holding the Light|
Lucia stared at the dark ink of Nico's signature on the legal documents. "You gave up the entire waterfront."
"No," Nico corrected gently. "I returned what was never mine to take."
The distinction hung heavy in the room. Lucia hated how deeply he seemed to understand his own past arrogance now that it was too late to save them.
Nico took a step backward toward the door. "I won't ask you for forgiveness today, Lucia."
"Good. Because you won't get it."
"I won't ask to come home, either."
"There is no home left for you to return to," she said.
Isabella stirred in her blankets, letting out a small, soft whimpering noise. Nico’s gaze shot to the baby instantly, filled with an intense, heartbreaking longing.
Lucia looked at her daughter, then back at the man standing near the threshold.
"You may hold her," Lucia said softly.
Nico froze mid-step, his breath hitching. "Lucia... are you sure?"
Evie looked ready to object, but Lucia gave her a sharp, definitive look that silenced her instantly.
Nico approached the bed as if stepping on thin ice. He extended his arms, his large, scarred hands trembling visibly. Lucia carefully lifted Isabella and placed the lightweight bundle into his arms.
He cradled the infant against his chest, holding her as though she were made of delicate glass.
"Hello," he whispered down to the small face. "I'm Nico."
Lucia noted that he didn't use the word father. Not yet.
Isabella’s dark eyes blinked open, staring up at him with newborn curiosity. A pained, breathtaking smile broke across Nico's face.
"You look just like your mother," he murmured.
May you like
"Most smart girls do," Evie muttered from the corner.
Lucia let out a faint laugh. Nico looked up at her, and for a fleeting second, the wall of trauma between them seemed to soften. They weren't fixed. They weren't reconciled. But for the first time in their lives, they were standing together in absolute truth.
