“How could you think that?” Frannie whispered in anguish. “I chose to have you by a donor because I was thirty and had never once been in love. I was terrified to wait for a magical romance that might or might not happen. How could I believe in something I’ve never experienced? I wanted you so badly, I’d stare up at the ceiling and dream of you. And when I found out I was pregnant, you became my entire world. It was the craziest, most beautiful experience in my life, deciding to have you. You think there wasn’t love? Dear God, I was full of love. Every moment from your birth to now is the only perfect thing in my life—don’t you understand that? And if you ever doubted you were always wanted, and loved, and worshipped, then I need to beg your forgiveness, sweetheart. You’re . . . everything.”

They stared at each other for a few earth-shattering moments, and then Allegra swiped at her cheeks, nodding jerkily. “I didn’t realize. You never talked about it, and the process seemed so cold.”

Frannie rose from the chair and grabbed her, hugging tight. “Never,” she said fiercely. “Ask Nonni. I was nuts about you, and every moment of my pregnancy was full of joy and anticipation. I have nothing without you, Allegra. You need to know that, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to make some changes. It’s time I give Kate and Layla more accounts and let my team do the heavy lifting. I’ll always be passionate about my work, but I don’t want this type of overwhelming schedule anymore.”

Allegra looked at her warily. “But I thought you loved it. Mom, I don’t want you to have these panic attacks anymore, but I want you to be happy.”

“Thanks, sweetheart. I think it’s way past time I find some other things to make me happy. Just like you and Nonni have been telling me.”

“Mother’s always right,” I chirped, smiling.

Frannie groaned and Allegra laughed. I watched them hug each other tight and swallowed down the lump in my throat.

Now they had a real chance.

Hours later, we boarded the plane and headed back to New York.

And when we got home, I finally told them everything.

I made the appointment immediately, and after the tests, I learned the thing inside me had grown and morphed into the diagnosis I’d dreaded.

Cancer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Francesca

I walked into the hospital and headed to her room, carrying a bouquet of wildflowers in a mixture of vivid colors, which was her favorite. The door was half open, and I knocked quickly and stepped inside.