Lara’s POV
It was the first weekend since Matteo had started spending time with the children.
The house felt different with him here — warmer, louder, and somehow more alive. The quadruplets, along with Rose, had spent the entire evening before whispering and plotting like little conspirators. They had ganged up on me after dinner, using every ounce of their combined charm and logic.
“Mama, please,” Maria had said, eyes wide and pleading. “It’s the weekend. Papa can stay, right? Just one night.”
Lyra had crossed her arms. “We want to have breakfast with him tomorrow morning. As a family.”
Even Noah had joined in. “Please, Mama? We’ll be good.”
Caius hadn’t said much, but the way he looked at me — quiet but hopeful — had been the final blow. Rose had simply held my hand and looked up
