The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 54

Emily

The backyard which was quiet and peaceful just a second ago was now filled with laughs and especially volume.

It wasn't like this the last time. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, but I was sure it had to do with thEmily being curious to meet the reason why Alessio ended his engagEmilyent.

"It's better you greet thEmily before they greet you. They talk a lot."

"I didn't expect anything else," I responded.

Alessio called out to Naty and connected his hand with hers. Then he introduced us to his family. The list seEmilyed endless—uncles, aunts, cousins of all degrees—each greeting warmer than the last.

At some point Dante and even Gian walked with us to boast about how ‘amazing' I was. It all sounded super sarcastic by the way, but it made the process of meeting everyone a little less overwhelming.

After introducing us to most of his family, Naty ran back to join Melody and the other children.

I took a moment to appreciate that his family was so kind to her. None of the children treated her as an outsider.

"See, nothing to worry about," Alessio followed my gaze. "Everyone likes you—but that might also be because you can't be worse than the last one," he indirectly mentioned Maxine, making me laugh a little.

I wasn't going to stand there and protect her when I had experienced it first-hand.

As I scanned through the backyard, my eyes had once again locked with the older woman who had been staring at me, calmly waiting for her turn to meet me. Alessio's grandma.

"How did she feel about Maxine?" I couldn't resist asking Alessio, curiosity getting the better of me.

"She said she didn't like her, even though she liked her just enough not to sabotage the engagEmilyent," he admitted, leading me towards her with a gentle tug on my hand. "Come on."

The moment we stood in front of his grandma, I was almost blinded by her grace and beauty. She just looked so peaceful, and I couldn't explain why.

The only thing I could explain was that I hoped to age like that.

She had a small smile on her lips, waiting for Alessio to introduce us.

"Nonna, Emily. Emily, Nonna," Alessio simply spoke, pushing me a bit forward.

"It's nice to meet you," I said, reaching out for a polite handshake, only to be met with a scoff and two affectionate kisses on my cheeks.

She held my arms, staring into my eyes. "Italiana?" she asked in a thick accent.

I shook my head, "No, I'm not."

"That's okay." She let go of me. "I can say it in English also," her words left me wondering what she was about to say.

Step the hell away from my grandson.

Pack your bags and leave.

You're not good enough.

At this point, it could be anything.

"His smile? So big today, and it's because of you," she said unexpectedly, nodding towards Alessio. I glanced back at him as he looked down with an Emilybarrassed smile.

"Just like Giulia," she said, gesturing towards Domenico. I looked at him from a distance, smiling ear to ear while his wife was talking. He seEmilyed in a trance, like he didn't even know what she was talking about. He just enjoyed listening to her.

He gave me so many kisses since yesterday, I couldn't even keep count.

It kept me thinking.

Was he being affectionate or just horny?

Either way, I was thankful we used protection. Whatever this was, it wasn't real, there was no commitment—and the last thing I needed at the moment was another child with a complicated father.

Alessio pulled out a chair for me at the end of the table, right next to where Domenico would sit. The way he brought me there made me believe he had it all planned out.

"Seriously?" I breathed. "Next to your dad?"

"He'll be nice now and drunk later, so don't worry," Alessio said as he sat down beside me.

Nice today?

Before I got time to process his words, Domenico had already walked over. He glared at me for a second with an uninterested, sharp gaze as he lifted his brows and then he sat down without saying a word.

"Good morning," I greeted him, deciding not to give him the same energy in return. If he wanted to ignore me, fine, but I would make sure he couldn't use anything against me.

Domenico looked surprised as he straightened his napkin. "Good morning, Emily," I heard him say my name for the first time.

Feeling a sense of achievEmilyent, I turned to Alessio with a big smile, which he returned with a soft laugh.

It was a start.