Becoming Mrs DeLuca novel Chapter 101

**Through Shadows We Painted Our Forever by Erynn Vel Coren**

**Chapter 101**

**VALENTINA**

I held my breath until the door to the hallway clicked shut behind me, sealing off the world I had just left behind.

My father.

The mere thought of him sent a wave of disbelief crashing over me. How could Ernesto, of all people, have confided in my father?

“He might as well have printed flyers and scattered them across the city,” I grumbled under my breath, a surge of heat rising in my throat, fueled by a mix of anger and betrayal. “What on earth possessed him to share that information?”

With a fierce determination, I strode down the corridor, my pace so hurried that I nearly collided with Gemma. She instinctively grasped my arm, steadying me before I could lose my balance.

“Whoa! Hey, hey,” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with concern. “What’s going on? You look like you’ve just encountered a ghost.”

“Nothing,” I lied vehemently, my voice betraying me as I struggled to mask the turmoil churning inside. I forced my expression into something resembling neutrality, though my heart raced like a wild drum, and my palms were slick with sweat. “I just remembered… I’m late. For something important. I really have to go.”

Gemma frowned, her worry evident. “Val-”

“I’m fine,” I interjected too quickly, desperate to convince her. “Really.”

Though she didn’t look entirely convinced, she stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I offered her a tight smile, a façade of normalcy, and hurried toward the elevators.

Elia stood there, ever vigilant, his posture rigid as he scanned the corridor. When he noticed me approaching like a tempest, he straightened, concern etching his features.

“Everything all right?” he asked, his voice laced with caution.

I shook my head, the movement sharp and decisive. “Just give me a moment.”

Turning my back to him, I pressed against the wall and dialed my father’s number. He picked up on the second ring, his tone cheerful and breathless.

“Tesoro! How’s my little grandson today?”

I closed my eyes, letting my forehead fall forward in frustration.

“Dad, listen carefully. You can’t tell anyone. Not a single soul. I mean it.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, as I could almost hear the gears turning in his mind.

“Dad.”

“What are you talking about?” His voice shifted, a hint of caution creeping in, as if he already sensed the gravity of the situation.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I snapped, my voice trembling with the weight of my emotions. I could feel my grip on control slipping. “What Ernesto told you. You must promise me—don’t say a word. Not to strangers, not to Mom, not to anyone in the family—no one. Swear it to me.”

As I resumed my brisk pace, each step seemed to echo my agitation. The elevator felt like it was miles away.

My father sighed heavily, the sound heavy with exasperation. “Valentina—”

“Dad, I’m serious.”

I pressed the elevator button with more force than necessary, my frustration bubbling over.

“You are the only person who could spread this information. If it gets out… Dad, please. Swear you won’t tell anyone.”

“I’m thinking of what’s best for my grandson,” he retorted, slipping into that patronizing tone he always used when I was a child, asking too many questions. “This information changes everything. A child with that bloodline… do you understand what that means? He could be Underboss one day, not just a simple Captain—”

“Dad, I don’t care about that.”

“Well, you should. Adrian could very well become Don one day, and so could your son. Or do you want him to serve under a man whose very existence is the result of incestuous adultery?”

“How dare you?” The words shot out of me, sharp and cutting.

Elia glanced at me, eyebrows raised in surprise, but he remained silent. The elevator dinged open, and we stepped inside, the tension palpable.

“You can’t possibly expect me to keep quiet,” Dad continued, his voice rising. “This affects the entire hierarchy of the—”

“I am coming home right now,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “I’ll be there in two hours. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t look at anyone. Don’t even breathe near anyone. Swear it, Dad.”

He let out a long, irritated exhale, a sound of resignation.

“I swear,” he finally muttered. “I’ll tell your mother to have the cooks prepare something nice.”

I could sense his dissatisfaction with my request, but I clung to the hope that he would honor his word. Ending the call, I turned to Elia, urgency radiating from me.

“We need to go. Now.”

“To your parents?” he asked, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.

“No,” I replied, forcing a soft smile, though my heart felt heavy.

It was already bad enough that Ernesto had confided in my father. Knowing him, he had likely already passed the news to Mom and Marco. It was only a matter of time before it spread like wildfire. I dreaded the thought of how it would affect Stefan and Sofia.

Somewhere along the highway, exhaustion overtook me, and I slipped into a fitful sleep. When Elia gently shook my shoulder, I stirred, realizing we were pulling into my parents’ long driveway.

Both of them stood at the top of the porch steps, their smiles wide as if they had just won the lottery. I wished it were for a reason that didn’t threaten to unravel the very fabric of our family.

Stepping out of the car, Dad reached me first, enveloping me in a tight embrace.

Marco appeared moments later, hands shoved into his pockets, a teasing grin on his face.

“You’re growing bigger,” he joked, laughter dancing in his eyes.

“That’s not something a pregnant woman wants to hear,” I retorted, though I couldn’t help but hug him back. “Where’s your new bride?” I asked, glancing around when I didn’t see her.

“Yup. She has the flu, so she stayed back.”

My smile faded as I caught Dad’s eyes. He practically buzzed with excitement, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.

Mom ushered us inside, her voice bright. “Dinner’s hot and waiting. You must be starving.”

I nodded at Elia, signaling that he could head to the guard quarters, then followed my family into the dining room.

As soon as the maid placed the dishes on the table and left, I folded my hands, steeling myself for what was to come.

“I assume Dad already told you,” I began, my voice steady.

Marco’s jaw tightened, and he gave the smallest nod, his disapproval clear in his expression.

Mom, however, didn’t bother hiding her delight. “Valentina, this is incredible news. Truly. You should be thrilled. This is your chance.”

I stared at her, disbelief coursing through me. How was this my chance? I wasn’t the one destined to become Underboss. “Thrilled? Why on earth would I be thrilled about a secret like this getting out?”

Dad leaned forward, his voice low and authoritative. “Because you should want what’s best for your son.”

In that moment, my temper snapped, and I unleashed my frustration.

“Oh, really? Like how marrying me off at twenty-one to the ‘cruelest Underboss in the Brotherhood’ was what’s best for me? You married me off to a man ten years older than I am. Was that for my benefit or yours, Dad?”