My own eyes flashed and when my insides began to bubble with raw fury, I did something I had never before done in my life. I leapt forward and when I snatched at her, she winced as my nails dug into the flesh of her forearm, and I had never before heard my voice the way it sounded then. “The fuck you will.” Vincenza blinked at me, stunned by my forceful stance. I stepped forward, forcing her back. “Don’t mess with me, Vincenza. That is my husband and those beautiful children may never be my kids, but so help me God, I will protect them as a mother.” And then I remembered something Tor had said. “In this family, we bleed together.” With a sharp shove, I released her and she stumbled back, holding her arm to her chest, peering at me as if she was seeing me for the very first time. Her silence gave me the opportunity to say, “I should have said this to you a long time ago so listen well as I finally have the courage to say it now. You have pushed me for the last time. We’re done, Enza. Stay the fuck away from my family.”

She always had to have the last word. “Or what?”

Self-preservation was clearly not in my sister’s vocabulary. Tired of all the fighting, I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes, wearily. My husband snaked his arm around my middle, snapping me out of my stupor. I looked up at him. He glanced down at me. And together, we walked away from Vincenza once and for all.

I did not miss the affronted look on her face at being completely disregarded.

My footsteps didn’t slow as I called back a blunt, “Or I’ll kill you myself.”

And I meant it, too.

Tor gently touched my lower back and held my hand as he helped me into the limo. My handsome husband sat beside me, watching me closely, holding my hand and running his thumb lightly across my knuckles as I came to terms with what had just happened.

There was no going back. I no longer had roots that lead me home.

To say that it hurt that I no longer had a family would have been an understatement, but it hurt far less that I expected it to. My eyes found the thick masculine thumb stroking my hand lovingly, and the realization hit.

Everything I needed was right here.

My free hand came to rest on my fluttering stomach.

This baby would not know their aunt or great-uncle, or their grandfather whom I loved so very much. And yes, I was made to feel alone in this world, but this child didn’t have to be.

I glanced up at Tor’s face to find him watching me. His apprehensive gaze had me smiling softly in reassurance. “I’m okay.”