Heir’s Redemption

Chapter 17

RÁMON’S POV

You think I would slow down on the drinking, considering all the f*****g problems it has brung me.

I still can’t believe I may be expecting a child that isn’t from the love of my life. I honestly don’t know what I’m gonna do.

I can’t loose Caterina.

I wouldn’t be me without her.

I parked my car in the hospital’s parking lot before sucking in a deep breath.

This was it.

My fate relied on one test that would be taken today.

I got out of the car and made my way inside. Veronica texted me her room number so I headed upstairs to her room and prepared for this meeting.

I hated being around her, but I had no other choice at this point. If she was the mother of my child, she would be in my life for a really long time.

How in the f**k will I cope then?

How in the f**k will Caterina cope?

Hell, I don’t even think she’ll stay with me if she finds out I’m expecting a baby from someone else.

Speaking of her, she’s still been blowing up my phone. I haven’t answered because I don’t know what to say.

I want more than anything to talk to her and confide in her, because she’s my best f*****g friend. She’s always level headed and gives me good advice, but I can’t confess any of this.

Not yet.

I knocked on Veronica’s examination room door before entering. She was in the same taupe dress that she was wearing this morning.

It made her look like an innocent woman with the way it dropped to her ankles and flowed around her body.

She was anything but innocent though.

“Rámon!” She beamed with excitement once I walked through the door, “You made it.”

I grimaced, hating the way she looked at me.

“Of course I made it. I want to know if the bastard is mine.” I took a seat in one of the empty chairs, far away from her.

“He is yours, Rámon. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.” She pouted, making me roll my eyes.

Before I could retort, a nurse walked into the room carrying a trail full of things.

“You all are here for a paternity test right?” She asked, making us both nod our head. “Great, let’s get started.”

I watched the nurse walk over to Veronica and prep her to draw blood. Veronica squirmed nervously as her eyes darted around the room.

“I thought I would just be doing a cheek swab.” She muttered nervously.

“No, the father gives a cheek swab, while the mother gives blood.” The nurse informed.

Veronica’s face went deathly pale as she extended her arm for the nurse to plunge the needle into her veins.

She’s hiding something, I just know it.

Her eyes connected with mine before she straightened her defeated posture and gave me a quick smile.

“I’m just a little afraid of needles, thats all.” She confessed.

I nodded my head slightly, acknowledging her.

The nurse filled up a vial of Veronica’s blood before putting a bandaid over the entry wound. She then walked over to me and grabbed a swab from her tray before telling me to open my mouth.

I listened to her and opened my mouth. She swabbed my cheeks and then secured the sample before setting everything in the tray.

“Since you paid extra for same-day results, you will need to wait for a couple hours for the results.” The nurse informed, “Your welcome to go home and we can give you a call with the results.”

“No thanks.” I cut her off, “We will stay here and wait for the results.”

She looked confused and wanted to say something, but decided against it at the last second. She nodded her head before leaving the room with our samples.

I turned my attention over to Veronica.

“Now we wait.” I said out as I crossed my arms over my chest and got comfortable in my seat.

She looked annoyed, but knew not to argue with me.

…

We’ve been waiting for over two hours and I’m starting to get restless. I’m loosing my mind and I feel like I’m gonna die from a brain embolism.

How hard is it to find out the paternity between our DNA samples?

My men have been calling me, wondering where I am. I haven’t picked up any calls, considering I can’t leave this place yet.

Caterina has also been calling me. She’s even resorted to texting me.

Her texts are heart wrenching.

She thinks I’m mad at her and don’t want anything to do with her—but that’s not true. I’m just struggling with a way to explain all of this to her.

I don’t know what to say.

Hopefully once I find out these results, I won’t have to tell her anything. Let’s just hope that the results come back as me not being the father.

“I can’t believe I even have to do this.” Veronica muttered out, “You should have just believed me when I told you it was your child.”

She had an angry look in her eyes as she stared at me from across the room.

“Believe you?!” I snapped out, “Your lucky I’m even entertaining this s**t! There’s no way this is my child! I only f****d you once!”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, “It only takes one time to get pregnant, Rámon. Stop being so damn stupid.”

I growled out, warning her to watch her tone.

She was like a thorn in my foot—so f*****g annoying.

“I’m just saying.” She muttered, “If you didn’t want to be in this position, you should have been more careful.”

A cold laugh escaped my lips as I glared at her. “If I remember correctly. You threw yourself at me like the f*****g w***e you are.”

She gasped in offense, looking like she wanted to kill me.

“Take that back!” She yelled, “I am not a w***e!”

I smirked, knowing it was too easy to get under her skin.

“You are definitely a whore.” I stated proudly, “I feel bad for the bastard child inside of you. I wonder what it will feel like to have a w***e as a mother.”

A cold smirk crossed her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I wonder how you will feel once you realize your son will be raised by a whore.”

I dropped the smirk on my face as I sent a deathly glare towards her.

“I wonder what everyone will say once they realize a w***e is birthing your heir.” She mocked, “Imagine all the things they’re gonna say about you. Imagine what your precious Caterina will say. She may even just leave you for good.”

She laughed, making me jump out of my seat and wrap my hand around her neck.

“Don’t you dare speak of her!” I sneered as my fingers tightened their grip around her throat. “I don’t want to hear her name come out of your mouth ever again!”

“Rámon!” She gasped for air, “Your hurting me.”

I let go of her and walked away, knowing I couldn’t kill her, even if part of me wanted too.

“Try that again and I will never let you see your f*****g child ever again!” She threatened, making me grunt out.

Before I could say anything, a knock sounded at the door. A second later and the nurse was entering. She held a piece of paper in her hands, letting me know the results were in.

“Do you have the results?” Veronica asked as she rubbed her sore throat.

“Yes.” The nurse smiled as she lifted the paper and began to speak, “Congratulations, Rámon Bonnano, you are the father.”

It felt like all of time stopped all around me. Her words were like a knife to the heart—something I wasn’t expecting this lifetime.

Veronica looked relieved and even smiled, as if this was a good thing. The nurse handed over the results to me, letting me read them.

It said that I was 99.9% the father.

I dropped in my seat, feeling like I was gonna pass out. I was light headed and my heart was pounding inside of my chest.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

“Congratulations to the both of you.” The nurse smiled, “You are free to leave now.”

She left, leaving me in the room with Veronica.

My thoughts raced, trying to find a silver lining in this whole situation—but there was none.

I was f****d—my life was ruined.

My future with Caterina was over.

What the f**k was I gonna do now?

“Looks like the w***e will be raising your son after all.” Veronica mocked, making things even worse.

I raised my head to see her smug face and the way she gloated.

“This is how things are gonna go.” She demanded, “I will be staying with you until you get me a new place like you promised. In the meantime, you will provide for me and the baby. If you decline, then I will go to your family with the results and make you be part of our child’s life.”

I sighed out, feeling like I was backed up into a corner. She held all the power now and there wasn’t much I could do.

As much as I didn’t want this, my seed was growing issue of her. So of course I needed to provide for them.

I wasn’t a deadbeat asshole who wouldn’t take care of his child. I would be there for my son and make sure he wants for nothing.

I just wish his mother was somebody else.

“Now let’s go, I want to eat before I lay down.” She stood up and walked towards the door, not even waiting for me.

“f*****g idiot.” I muttered to myself, knowing I really f****d up this time.

…

I spent all day fulfilling Veronica’s every wish.

She wanted to go shopping?

I drove her to the mall and bought her all the designer clothes and handbags her black-heart desired.

She wanted a new car?

I drove her to the dealership and bought her a brand new luxury car.

I did everything in my power to keep her happy, because I had no other choice but to keep her happy.

It wasn’t about the money, I had enough money to take care of her for many lifetimes. It was just that I didn’t want to be doing this with her.

I was having a family with her and not Caterina.

It was all wrong.

Now, Veronica was up in my penthouse, sleeping in my bed. I left, not wanting to be around her anymore.

I’ve been aimlessly driving around, but I only have one destination in mind.

I need to see Caterina.

I pulled up to her families estate, nodding towards the guards at the gate. They immediately opened up the gates and let me pass through.

It was late and I knew everyone was sleeping, but I couldn’t help myself.

I needed to see her.

I’ve also been drinking, so my logic isn’t any good right now. All I have on my mind is getting to her.

I need to see her.

Hold her.

Kiss her.

Even if it’s just for one last time.

I parked my car by the fountain and got out. I entered her house, seeing that the place was quiet.

There were a couple of maids still up, cleaning and doing stuff around the house. I nodded towards them and offered them a small smile.

Before I could head upstairs, Vinny came walking down the hall from his office.

“Rámon?”

“Hey Vin.” I muttered back as I started to ascend the staircase.

“Where you been?” He questioned with furrowed brows, “You disappeared and had everyone worried.”

“I was busy with work.” I lied, “I didn’t mean to worry everyone.”

I didn’t stop walking, but that also didn’t stop him from probing me with questions.

“Where you going?”

“I need to see Cat.” I answered back.

“She’s sleeping.”

“I need to see her Vincenzo.” There was a slight edge to my voice that wasn’t intended.

He didn’t say anything else as I ascended the stairs and walked towards her room. Once I got to her door, I opened it and quietly slipped inside.

Her room was dark, but I could see her profile in bed as the moon’s reflection lit up her bed from her open balcony.

She looked so peaceful as she slept soundly in her bed.

She was so beautiful—perfect.

I took off my suit jacket and dropped it to the floor before unbuttoning my shirt and taking it off. I slipped my shoes off and then walked over to her bed before climbing underneath her sheets.

She immediately woke up and was startled, but I pulled her into my arms and left warm kisses over her face.

“Rámon?” Her voice was groggy as her eyes blinked, registering what was happening right now.

“Yeah little one, it’s me.” I laid down next to her and pulled her into my chest. I breathed in her fruity scent and relished in the feeling of her being in my arms.

“I missed you.” She whispered as her hands trailed all over my chest before she wrapped her arms around my large frame and hugged me.

I sighed out, loving the way her arms felt around me.

“I missed you too, little one.”

“Rámon, what’s wrong?” She asked out softly, “Why didn’t you return any of my calls or texts? I was worried about you. I thought something bad happened to you.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you.” I whispered as I buried my head into the crook of her neck. “I’ve been busy with work.”

I lied, but I couldn’t tell her the truth—not yet. I just needed one last night with her without all the drama and chaos.

“You could have at least called me back or sent a text.”

“I know Caterina, I’m sorry.” I mumbled as I left soft kisses over her neck, “I just been dealing with things and I couldn’t talk.”

“But you know you can always talk to me.” She sighed, “Were supposed to be in this together. I can’t help you when you don’t talk to me.”

“I know.” I acknowledged, “I’m sorry. I swear I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t say that, we’re gonna be together forever.”

Her words were meant to soothe me, but they just made me feel more guilt.

“No Caterina, I don’t deserve you.” I admitted, “You deserve someone better.”

She sighed out before she lifted my head up so I’d meet her gaze.

“Is this why you’ve been ignoring me? Because you have cold feet or something?” She asked as her hazel eyes searched mine. “Well I won’t accept it. I’ve already made up my mind and I want you.”

“I want you Rámon Bonanno.” She argued, “There’s nothing that you could say to run me off. I want you, mind, body and soul. So stop ignoring me and just accept that it’s meant to be between us.”

I rested my forehead against hers as I relished in her confession.

“I love you so much little one.”

“And I love you so much too.” She whispered before placing a soft kiss against my lips. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I placed another kiss against her lips, savoring every second of it.

I pulled her into my arms and relaxed, knowing everything was fine when I was with her.

“I love you.” I whispered before drifting off to sleep.