Second Chance With My Baby Daddy

Chapter 5:New Twist

LILIANNA’S POV

My heart nearly stopped.

I spun around, eyes locking onto Callum’s small figure standing in the bathroom doorway, his sleepy blue gaze wide with confusion. My stomach twisted. Had I really said that out loud?

"Who is my father?" he repeated, stepping closer.

Think, Lilianna. Think.

I forced a soft smile and reached for him, pulling him into my arms. "Oh, sweetheart, you misheard me. I was just thinking about… a book I read earlier," I lied, smoothing his curls.

Callum pulled back, suspicious. "Are you sure?"

I nodded, my pulse pounding. "Of course. Now, let’s get you back to bed, okay?"

He studied me for a moment before sighing, clearly too tired to argue. I grabbed one of his favorite storybooks and settled beside him, reading aloud until his breathing evened out.

As I watched him sleep, my chest ached.

Matteo could never know.

I had already lost so much, I couldn’t risk losing Callum, too.

THE WEDDING DAY

Morning came too fast.

The grand Genovese estate was buzzing with activity, servants rushing about, guests arriving in droves. Silas’s wedding to Aelita Petrov was set to be one of the most powerful mafia unions in decades.

Lucan, his right-hand man, stood nearby, checking his watch. "It’s almost time. Everything’s in place."

Silas nodded, exuding calm authority, but there was tension in his jaw. "And Aelita?"

"As composed as ever," Lucan replied. "She knows what’s expected of her."

THE CEREMONY BEGINS

Silas waited at the altar, every move measured, every breath controlled.

Then, the doors opened.

A hush fell over the crowd as Aelita stepped forward, gliding down the aisle like a queen.

I should have been focused on that.

But Matteo was here.

And worse, he had seen Callum.

I knew I had only bought myself a little time before he started asking questions again.

For a moment, I let myself breathe.

Then, I felt his presence.

The air changed, charged with a tension I recognized before I even turned.

"Who’s the kid?"

My stomach twisted.

Matteo stood near the entrance close to where I was sitting, swirling a glass of whiskey, his sharp gaze fixed on Callum, who was playing near the grand staircase on the other covered side.

No. No. No.

I turned on my heel, I could literally hear my heartbeat, I just hope he isn't hearing it.. "He’s none of your damn business, Matteo."

He took a slow sip, never breaking eye contact. "Funny. He looks a lot like me, Lilianna."

Panic tightened its grip on me. "You’re imagining things."

Matteo’s jaw clenched. And then he moved.

Before I could stop him, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the reception hall.

The balcony doors slammed shut behind us. The city lights stretched in the distance, but all I could focus on was him, even when he's kind of annoyed he looks so damn cute.. fv*k Lili, FOCUS….

"You’re lying to me," Matteo growled, his grip firm but not painful. "Tell me the truth. Is he mine?"

I jerked my hand away. "No. His father was… his father was a guy I met in Italy."

Matteo’s expression darkened. "A guy from Italy?" He took a step closer, towering over me. "That’s the best lie you can come up with?"

"Believe what you want," I shot back, even as my pulse pounded. "But you don’t own me, Matteo. Not anymore."

His fingers brushed my jaw, trapping me in his heat. "That’s bullshit. You still burn for me, just like I do for you."

Damn him.

Damn the way my body reacted, the way I hated and craved him all at once.

His thumb traced my bottom lip. A silent challenge.

I was dangerously close to giving in again, something I did five years ago and regretted, something I did last night and almost got me into trouble with Callum.

Then Matteo’s eyes darkened further. "You didn’t just run from me, Lilianna. You stole from me."

My breath hitched. What?

"You ran off pregnant, didn’t you?" His voice was lower now, and a bit rough. "Tell me the truth before I find out myself."

I couldn’t breathe.

I opened my mouth to lie again, to say anything…. But I was force shut from the loud sound.

BANG!

A gunshot ripped through the walls.

Shouts erupted inside.

Matteo and I whipped around and rushed back inside…. Only to freeze.

Silas stood at the altar, shock frozen on his face.

Aelita Petrov, his bride stood before him, a gun smoking in her hand.

Blood bloomed across Silas’s pure white suit.

And then, he collapsed.

A stunned silence filled the hall before chaos exploded.

Guests started screaming. Men in black suits were running helter scatter. Gunfire was ringing every where.

Matteo shoved me behind him, his gun already drawn.

"What the f**k….. is GOING ON Hereeee"

Aelita turned, her icy gaze, locking it onto mine.

"You should have stayed gone, Lilianna," she said, her voice calm, even as the room burned around her.

Matteo stiffened. "What the hell does that mean?"

I knew what it meant.

This wasn’t just a wedding.

It was a coup.

Aelita smirked. "Lilianna has secrets, Matteo. And soon, you’ll see just how deep they run."

My blood turned to ice.

She knew.

Aelita knew about Callum. Didn't she

And if she did…

Who else did?

Another loud sound of gun jacked us all. We needed to run.

Matteo grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the exit. "We need to get Callum and get out of here…."

Aelita’s voice cut through the screams.

"Matteo, you really think she didn’t betray you?"

He froze and stopped.

I saw the hesitation flash in his eyes. The doubt.

And that’s when she struck.

Aelita raised her gun toward me.

Matteo turned his gun on her.

And suddenly, I was caught between them.

What the hell is going on?

But I only have seconds to act.

Just seconds to decide what I should do.

And more importantly

Who the hell was going to survive tonight?