Chapter 13 - The First Word
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Cassidy woke up in the master suite of the Valenti estate, the morning sun streaming through the heavy curtains. Her shoulder throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the violence she had survived.
She walked downstairs to the kitchen, finding Bella sitting at the marble island, coloring a picture of a dinosaur.
“Good morning, sweetie,” Cassidy smiled, kissing the top of the girl’s head.
Bella looked up, her dark eyes solemn. She put her crayon down and reached out, gently touching the bandage visible at the edge of Cassidy’s collar. The little girl’s face twisted in guilt, tears welling in her eyes. She grabbed her tablet to type.
Because of me. You got hurt because of me.
“No,” Cassidy said fiercely, kneeling down so they were eye level. “I got hurt because bad men did a bad thing. You are never, ever to blame for someone else’s cruelty, Bella. Do you understand me?”
Bella sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. She looked into Cassidy’s eyes, searching for any trace of resentment or fear. She found only unconditional love.
Bella dropped the tablet.
She opened her mouth, her vocal cords straining after two years of complete disuse. Her throat clicked, dry and raspy.
“Ma...” Bella choked out.
Cassidy froze, her heart stopping completely.
“Ma... mama,” Bella whispered, the word fragile and broken, but incredibly clear.
Tears burst from Cassidy’s eyes. She threw her arms around the little girl, burying her face in Bella’s neck, sobbing with pure, overwhelming joy. Bella clung to her, crying as well, the invisible wall of trauma finally shattering into a million pieces.
From the doorway, Dominic stood frozen, witnessing the miracle.
He had lost his cousin, fought a war, and nearly lost his life building an empire. But hearing his daughter speak, hearing her claim the woman who had saved them both, was the greatest victory he would ever know.
He walked into the kitchen, dropping to his knees and wrapping his massive arms around both of them.
May you like
“Mama,” Bella repeated, looking at Dominic, then pointing to Cassidy.
“Yes, Principessa,” Dominic wept, kissing his daughter's cheek. “Yes, she is.”
