Luna batted her eyes at him, clearly enjoying the attention. "Really? So no matter who messes with me, you'll always be on my side?"
Davide didn't hesitate. "Of course. You and our son are my treasures. Anyone who dares to hurt you will have to deal with me."
The words landed in my chest like something cold and precise. Not because they were cruel. Because I had heard them before. The exact same cadence, the exact same promise. Spoken to me, in a different room, in a different life. Before I understood what his promises were actually worth.
Seeing that Davide was fully prepared to stand up for her, Luna beamed with pride. She stood taller beside him, her fingers tightening on his arm like a woman staking a claim.
The other parents were green with envy.
"I've always heard that Mr. Ferraro spoils his wife. Now it's clear he really does."
"Look at them. A perfect couple if I've ever seen one."
"Exactly. I don't understand how some people have the nerve to try to wreck their marriage."
"And she dared to mess with Mrs. Ferraro? She's way out of her league. Mr. Ferraro is about to handle this. Let's see how that homewrecker holds up now."
The word hit the air and stayed there. Homewrecker. Said about me. In front of my daughter.
My thumb found the face of my mother's signet ring and pressed against the cold gold. The Valente crest bit into my skin. I said nothing. Emilia's fingers tightened on my sleeve.
Amid the gossiping crowd, Massimo suddenly ran up to Davide and threw his arms around him.
"Dad!"
Davide knelt and scooped Massimo up in his arms. The soldier who had opened the car door stood three paces behind, hands clasped, watching the courtyard with the flat, scanning gaze of a man paid to notice threats. He noticed none. He wasn't trained by Valente men.
"Hey, buddy, your mom tells me someone gave you trouble at school?"
Massimo smirked, his eyes narrowing into slits. He glanced once at Luna. She gave the faintest nod. His small shoulders settled with satisfaction.
"Yeah, there was this little brat. When I hit her, she almost pushed me down. But I really gave her a lesson." His voice carried across the courtyard, bright and boastful. "I even cut her toe!"
The words hung in the silence. A few parents shifted their weight. No one spoke.
Davide pinched Massimo's chubby cheeks and smiled approvingly. "Good job, my boy. You're really something."