“You get my meaning,” he continued. “You need to be that person now. It can’t only be for some time but all of the time, or else you will never have the happiness you want to help others achieve. You’ll forever be the person who came here to Italy as a runaway. Yes, the business is a great success and will continue to be so, but it will be hollow. I assure you. Don’t fall into the trap of letting work achievements distract you from the truth. It’s just somewhere to bury your head in the sand and hide from what frightens or challenges you.”

“But I truly don’t know how to be the mother Lily needs. I’m not sure I even know how to be the wife Gabe needs. I’m never there.”

“Hush,” Antonio silenced her. “Have you not been listening to a word I said? You can do this, Kim. But first you must be honest, not only with Gabriel, but yourself. Maybe start by admitting to him how you feel. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Panic stabbed her heart the moment the words left her mentor’s lips. “I can’t tell Gabriel what I just told you—about Lily. He’d hate me. I hate me.”

Antonio scoffed. “Gabriel loves you. Very much. He won’t leave you, if that’s what’s bothering you. He’s one of the most honest and honorable men that I have ever known. He is also no fool. I expect he knows a lot about what you’ve been keeping hidden from him, and is waiting for you to come to him when you’re ready.”

“Do you think?” Kim replied as a small glimmer of hope ignited in her chest. The fear of Gabriel leaving was one she hadn’t had the courage to admit, but Antonio, as ever, had got to the bottom of her fears anyway.

“I think you won’t know for sure until you talk to your husband. I can say all the right things in this situation, but it isn’t my assurance you need.”

“You’re so perceptive it’s annoying,” Kim said with a smile as she rubbed the errant tears from her cheeks. Despite her efforts, they’d defied her.

“When Gabriel arrives, do you have plans to talk to him about this?”

“Not particularly,” she admitted. “There’s so much else going on right now...”

“I think it would be the perfect opportunity for you to talk. The publicity is in place and the renovations are complete—all’s that left now is the party to celebrate Villa Dolce Vita’s introduction to the world. Everything is ready, Kim. And I can keep any last-minute things covered while you have some important time together with your family.”

Everything he was saying sounded good, but there was still so much for her to consider before her husband and daughter joined her here.