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.