5. Sofia

5

SOFIA

M y hands are wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee as I lean against the kitchen counter. The events of last night still replay in my mind, but I force them down, putting on a brave face.

Zip’s worried eyes meet mine. “Fee, are you sure you’re okay?” he asks in a low voice.

I nod, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I have to be, Nonno. For Lou.”

Zip sighs, putting his own mug down. “I’ll come by today and see the damage.”

“Oh, no, Nonno. I don’t want you to get hurt?—”

Zip raises his hand, stifling my protests. “This shop is as much of mine as it is yours, Tesoro ,” he says sternly. “I will be there today.”

Before I can respond, Lou bursts into the kitchen, her face lighting up when she sees me. “Mom! You’re here!”

I manage a genuine smile, setting down my mug to hug her. “Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?”

Lou nods enthusiastically. “Yes, but I was worried about you. Is the shop okay?”

I exchange a quick glance with Zip before answering. “We’ll talk about that later, honey. Right now, how about I take you to school?”

Lou’s blue eyes widen in surprise and delight. While she may have taken after her father physically, her mannerisms are all me. “Really? You’re taking me?”

Her excitement sends a pang of guilt through me. I rarely take her to school, always too busy with Perfezione. “Of course,” I say, forcing cheer into my voice. “Are you ready to go?”

As Lou rushes off to grab her backpack, I turn to my grandfather. “I need to do better,” I murmur. “She shouldn’t be this excited about something so simple.”

Zip squeezes my shoulder. “You’re doing your best, Sofia. And Lou knows that.”

I nod, but the guilt lingers. As I watch Lou return, backpack in hand and a bright smile on her face, I make a silent promise to myself. No matter what happens with the shop, I need to be there for Lou more. It’s time for a change.

“Ready to go, kiddo?” I ask, holding out my hand.

Lou takes it, her small fingers intertwining with mine. “Ready!”

The morning sun casts long shadows across the sidewalk as Lou and I walk down the bustling New York streets. The city is already alive with the sounds of traffic and hurried pedestrians.

“Mom, look at that cool mural!” Lou points excitedly at a vibrant painting adorning a nearby building.

I smile, but my mind wanders back to Perfezione. How much was destroyed? Can we salvage anything? The thought of losing everything we’ve built makes my stomach churn.

We pass a small café, the aromas of fresh coffee and pastries wafting out. It reminds me of Angelo, and I feel a flutter in my chest. I’m so grateful he was there last night. Without him…

Lou tugs on my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. “Can we get hot chocolate there sometime?”

“Sure, sweetie,” I reply, pushing thoughts of Angelo aside.

But they creep back in as we wait at a crosswalk. The memory of our night together sends a warmth through me. It was undoubtedly the best I’ve ever had, but I can’t let my heart get involved. Relationships are unpredictable, spontaneous. They don’t fit into my carefully ordered life.

We turn onto a tree-lined street, the leaves just starting to show hints of autumn colors. Lou chatters about her upcoming science project, and I force myself to focus on her words.

Relationships might not be for me, but this—walking my daughter to school, manning our shop, maintaining the predictable routine we’ve established—this is what matters. It’s safe. It’s known .

The school looms large, a brick behemoth, as we cross the street. I see a swarm of students with their parents buzzing around the gates.

“Sofia?”

I whip my head around, my breath catching in my throat. My eyes lock onto him. Tall, blond, and those familiar blue eyes are staring at me in disbelief. Jonah Ansel. My stomach twists into knots.

No. There’s no way.

Panic starts to rise, a cold dread creeping into my bones.

I force myself to inhale deeply, to ground myself. Lou’s small hand is warm in mine. I bend down and kiss her cheek, a silent promise of safety. “Have a good day, sweetheart,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the morning traffic. With a final reassuring squeeze of her hand, I watch her disappear through the school gates, seeking refuge in the familiar.

“Sofia!”

I hear Jonah’s voice again, closer this time. My legs turn to jelly. I have to get away. I start walking faster, my gaze fixed on the sidewalk. But his footsteps are gaining on me.

This can’t be real. A sick feeling creeps into my gut. Last night, I dreamed about his assault on me. And now, here he is, a ghost from my worst nightmare.

How did he find me? How? My mind races, searching for answers. And then, the terrifying realization hits me. Lou.

My heart pounds in my ears. She looks just like him, those same piercing blue eyes, the same blonde hair. It would be so easy for him to connect the dots.

Please let him not have seen her. Please .

Tears prick my eyes, blurring my vision. I quicken my pace, but he’s right behind me. I can feel his presence like a physical weight. He catches up easily, his breath warm on my neck.

“Sofia,” he says, his voice hesitant. “How have you been?”

His question hangs in the air, heavy and loaded. I don’t know what to say. How can I possibly answer that? My mind is a whirlwind of fear and anger. I want to scream at him, to tell him to stay away. But the words won’t come out.

“I saw the news this morning about the fire,” he continues, his voice filled with a strange mix of concern and something else I can’t quite place. “I saw you on there. I was on my way to check on you.”

My heart stops. He saw me on the news? And now he’s here, claiming to care. Where was that care nine years ago when he fucking raped me and impregnated me with his child? Anger surges through me, hot and violent. How dare he?

The memories of last night’s nightmares claw at my mind, his hands pulling my skirt up, his hot breath in my ear as he raped me. I’m trapped in a suffocating nightmare, and he’s the monster in it.

“Leave me alone,” I manage to whisper, my voice barely audible over the morning traffic. The words feel like a tiny pebble thrown at a giant.

“I just want to talk,” he says, his voice soft but insistent.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I retort, my voice rising in pitch.

“I didn’t know you had a daughter,” he says, his eyes scanning my face.

Fear nearly paralyzes me. Oh, God, he saw her. “It’s none of your business,” I spit out, my anger boiling over. I turn to walk away, but his hand clamps down on my arm, halting me in my tracks.

Fear, cold and sharp, slices through me. I wrench my arm away from his grasp, my nails digging into my palms. “Don’t touch me!” I hiss.

Jonah looks taken aback for a moment, then his expression hardens. “How old is she?”

“It’s none of your damn business!” I shout, my voice echoing in the quiet morning street.

His eyes narrow, and a dangerous glint appears in them. “I got a good look at her face,” he says slowly, his voice low. “She looks just like my sister.”

My heart pounds in my ears. I can’t breathe. He’s connecting the dots, and the realization is terrifying. “No,” I whisper, my voice barely a sound.

“Is she mine?” he demands, his grip tightening on my arm.

I shake my head violently, my denial as desperate as it is futile. “No,” I repeat, my voice trembling.

He doesn’t believe me. His eyes bore into mine, searching for a lie. I feel exposed, raw, like a wounded animal. I want to run, to hide. But I’m rooted to the spot, paralyzed by fear.

My body is on high alert, every nerve ending screaming at me to run. This is the same man who stole my innocence, my safety. And now, he’s standing here, inches from me, acting like this is a normal conversation. I try to keep my voice steady, to sound rational, but my mind is a chaotic storm.

“Even if she was yours, you raped me to get me pregnant,” I manage to say, my voice trembling. “You don’t remember it that way?”

He looks confused, then a flicker of something dark crosses his face. “What are you talking about?”

I want to hit him, to make him feel the pain he caused me. But I know I can’t. I have to stay calm, to protect Lou. “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I say, my voice rising. “You raped me.”

Jonah’s mouth drops open. “ Rape ?” he hisses. “I didn’t rape you. You clearly enjoyed sex with me.”

“I was drunk out of my mind and fifteen years old!” I snap back, heart pounding. “I screamed at you to let me go—to let me go home. I screamed for someone to help me. How was that consent, Jonah?”

The bastard shrugs—he actually shrugs . “We’ll have to agree to disagree. It was a long time ago. Your memory is probably fuzzy, but you wanted me, Sofia. Now, about our daughter?—”

“ My daughter ,” I hiss. I want to hit him, to make him feel the pain he caused me. But I know I can’t. I have to stay calm, to protect Lou.

He ignores that. “I want a DNA test.”

“You’re out of your mind,” I gasp, my heart about to beat out of my body. “We’re strangers. You need to leave me alone.”

I try to step back, but he’s blocking my way. His eyes are locked on mine, and I feel a surge of panic. I need to get away from him.

“It’s such a blessing that I found you,” Jonah says lightly, although his eyes are anything but polite. “My wife and I are getting divorced. We both want children but have never been able to have any. And to find out that I have a daughter this whole time? I can finally be a father.”

“You’ll never be her father!” I cry out.

He reaches out and touches my arm. My body reacts before my mind can process. I scream, my voice a shrill cry that echoes in the morning air. I swing my fist, connecting with his jaw. He stumbles back, surprised, emitting a cry of pain. I take advantage of the moment and run, my legs pumping as fast as they can.

I hear him shout my name, but I refuse to look back. I run faster and faster. My legs are burning, my lungs screaming.

A dark alley appears, a beacon of desperate hope. I dive in, heart hammering against my ribs. The brick wall is cold against my back as I slide down, my knees crumpling beneath me. Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. My breath comes in ragged gasps, each one a sob.

What am I supposed to do now? Jonah was never supposed to find me and Lou. New York City is home to millions of people. How did he manage to finally run into me?

This isn’t the end of Jonah. He wants a DNA test. He wants to be Lou’s father.

Oh, God, what if he takes her away from me?

A wave of terror washes over me, threatening to drown me. What am I going to do?

Suddenly, my phone buzzes and I gulp in a deep breath. Fishing my phone out of my purse, I look to see that I’ve received a text from Shawn.

Hey girl! I just got seated at the restaurant. Can’t wait to see you!

Oh, shit. Shit. Shit. Shit . I forgot all about my brunch date with my best friend, Shawn. Where the fuck were we meeting again?

Hands trembling, I scroll up in our texts until I spot our discussion about brunch. It looks like we agreed on a restaurant nearby Perfezione and Lou’s school, so thankfully, it’s only a few minutes’ walk away.

Be right there!

I make it to the restaurant in record time. Smoothing down my hair, I take a deep breath as I enter the establishment. My heart is still racing from the encounter with Jonah, but I force myself to focus on the present. Shawn is waiting for me, and I don’t want to worry her.

I spot her immediately, her ebony skin glowing in the soft light of the restaurant as she reviews the menu. She looks up, and her hazel eyes light up as she sees me, and she waves me over to the booth.

“Fee! There you are,” she says, standing to give me a quick hug. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”

I manage a smile as I slide into the booth across from her. “Never. Sorry I’m a bit late.”

Shawn's eyes narrow slightly as she studies my face. “Okay, spill. What’s wrong?”

“What? Nothing’s wrong,” I say, perhaps a bit too quickly.

She raises an eyebrow. “Fee, we’ve known each other since middle school. I can tell when something’s up. Is it the shop? Did something happen?”

I sigh, knowing I can’t hide anything from Shawn. She’s been my rock through so many hard times, always there with a listening ear and sage advice. She knows all about Lou’s paternity and was there when my other friends ditched me.

“It’s… a lot,” I admit. “The shop… there was a fire last night.”

Shawn’s eyes widen in shock. “Oh, my God, Fee. Are you okay? Is everything…?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know yet. It’s not a total loss, but… it’s bad.”

She reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do? I can reach out to some of my clients, see if they’d be willing to place orders in advance to help with rebuilding costs.”

Her offer of help, so immediate and genuine, brings tears to my eyes. “Thanks, Shawn. That… that would be amazing.”

She nods, then narrows her eyes again. “But that’s not all, is it? There’s something else bothering you.”

I hesitate, torn between wanting to unburden myself and not wanting to relive the morning’s encounter. But this is Shawn, my best friend, the person who’s stood by me through everything.

“I… I saw Jonah this morning,” I whisper.

Shawn’s intake of breath is sharp. “Jonah? As in…?”

I nod, unable to meet her eyes.

“Oh, Fee,” she says softly. “I’m so sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”

As I look up at her concerned face, I feel a wave of gratitude. No matter what life throws at me, I know I have Shawn in my corner. And right now, that means more than she could ever know.

I explain everything—Jonah running into me and seeing Lou because he saw me on TV, his wanting a DNA test. I even tell her about Gino and his threat, how he was the one who probably set the fire, and how he attacked me.

“Thank goodness Angelo was there—” I start, but Shawn holds up her hand, interrupting me.

“Wait, wait ! Back up. Who is Angelo?” she asks, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks, realizing I’ve completely forgotten to mention him. “Oh, right. Um, Angelo is… well, he’s…”

Shawn leans forward, clearly intrigued. “Come on, spill it!”

I laugh, feeling some of the tension leave my body. “Okay, okay. Angelo is this guy who came into the shop yesterday. He’s been helping me with the whole Gino situation.”

“And?” Shawn prompts, sensing there’s more to the story.

I bite my lip, trying to find the right words. “And… he’s probably the hottest guy I’ve ever met.”

Shawn’s eyes light up with excitement. “Oh, really? How hot are we talking?”

Before I can answer, she’s already pulling out her phone, fingers flying over the screen. “What’s his last name?”

“Pirelli,” I reply, watching as she types it in.

Suddenly, Shawn gasps, her eyes widening as she stares at her phone screen. She looks up at me, then back at her phone, then back at me again.

“Fee,” she says, fanning herself dramatically, “when you said hot, you weren’t kidding. This man is a tall drink of water!”

I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. “I told you!”

Shawn shakes her head in disbelief. “Girl, how are you even functioning? If I had a man like that helping me out, I’d be a puddle on the floor.”

Her enthusiasm is infectious, and for a moment, I forget about all the stress and worry. Instead, I find myself grinning like a schoolgirl as Shawn and I discuss Angelo’s finer points.

It feels good to laugh, to act like a normal woman discussing a crush with her best friend.

“Have you slept with him yet?” Shawn asks teasingly. “I would have been jumping on him the second he looked in my direction.”

I feel my face heat up at Shawn’s question, and her gasp of delight only makes me blush harder.

“Why, Sofia Saldano, you sly dog!” Shawn exclaims, her voice carrying through the restaurant.

“Shh!” I hush her, laughing despite my embarrassment. “It was just a one-night stand, okay? Nothing more.”

Shawn's eyes sparkle with mischief. “How good was it?”

My face must be as red as a tomato. “So good, Shawn. I’ve never come as hard as that before.”

Speaking of that, I need to make an appointment with my gynecologist to get on some new birth control. I can’t be stupid and accidentally get pregnant.

Shawn laughs and claps her hands in delight. “Oh come on, Fee. This could be the start of something great! You desperately need a relationship in your life.”

I shake my head firmly. “Love and relationships aren’t for me, Shawn. You know that. They’re too unpredictable, too chaotic. I need stability, consistency, a schedule Lou and I can rely on.”

“But Fee—” Shawn starts, but she’s cut off by the shrill ring of my phone.

I fish it out of my purse, frowning at Lou’s school number flashing on my screen. “Hello?”

As I listen to the voice on the other end, I feel the color drain from my face. My hand starts to shake.

“Fee? What is it?” Shawn asks, her voice laced with concern.

I look up at her, my heart pounding. “It’s Lou. There was a fire drill at school, and now… now she’s missing.”

The world seems to tilt around me as the implications sink in. Lou, my baby, is gone.

And I have no idea where she is or who she’s with.