He was the love of your life. Your husband, your best friend, your everything. The two of you had been through thick and thin together, five years of laughter, chaos, and love. You built a small, warm home with him and your little boy, Adam. He was a bike racer.
That night, something felt different.
Your phone buzzed with a message from him.
“I love you so much, sweetheart.”
You chuckled softly, shaking your head. “You and your ego,” you murmured under your breath as you typed back a teasing reply. But before you could send it, your phone rang. His name lit up your screen.
You smiled and answered, “Hey, baby.”
His voice came through the line, warm but strange.
“Baby, I love you so much. You’re my world. If I’m gone someday, please don’t mourn too much for me. Move on and stay strong. Can you do that for me, baby?”
Your heart dropped. “What are you talking about? Don’t say things like that. Just come home now.”
He chuckled softly.
“I will, I will. But first, I’m gonna buy your favorite flowers. The blue roses, my love.”
You smiled through your confusion. “Okay, I’ll wait for you. Hurry home. I cooked your favorite meal.”
“Mwah mwah mwah, I love you, my love, my sunshine, my angel.”
You laughed a little, “I love you too. Just drive safe, okay?”
Hours passed. He didn’t come home.
Then your phone rang again, an unknown number. You answered, still smiling. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end wasn’t his.
“Ma’am, this is the city hospital. We’re sorry to inform you that your husband was involved in an accident. He… he didn’t make it.”
The world stopped. The plate slipped from your hands and shattered on the floor.
When you arrived at the crash site, the smell of burnt rubber and gasoline filled the air. His bike was twisted metal. Lying beside it were a bouquet of blue roses and a small teddy bear with a tag that said “For Adam.”
You fell to your knees, sobbing. The flowers he promised. The gift he never got to give.
Then, as you held the teddy bear tightly, something fell from its paw,a folded note.
With trembling hands, you opened it.
*“If you’re reading this, it means I couldn’t make it home. But don’t cry, my love. I knew the risks, and I wanted you to know… I wasn’t racing tonight for a trophy. I was racing for you to win the money for the house you always dreamed of.
Take care of Adam. Tell him Daddy loves him, always.
— Yours, forever, Matteo.”*
Six months passed. Your brother sent you and Adam on a vacation to Italy, hoping it’d help you heal.
You were in Rome, holding Adam’s tiny hand as the funfair lights shimmered around you. For the first time in months, you almost felt okay.
“Mommy, look! So many balloons!” Adam giggled, tugging your hand.
Then he stopped. His little fingers tightened around yours. “Mommy,” he whispered, “I saw Daddy.”
Your heart sank. “Baby, Daddy’s in heaven. You won’t see him again.”
“But Mommy, it’s true! That’s Daddy!” He pointed ahead.
You followed his little finger and your breath caught.
A group of men in black suits surrounded someone near the carousel. They looked like bodyguards. But your eyes locked on him.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Tattoos peeking from under his shirt collar. And that face, that same face you had kissed goodnight countless times.
Matteo. Or someone who looked exactly like him.
He was holding a little girl’s hand.
“Daddy!” Adam screamed and ran before you could stop him.
“Adam, no!” you shouted, chasing after him.
The man froze as Adam wrapped his arms around his knees. The little girl blinked, confused.
“Uncle, since when you have a son?” she asked innocently.
You rushed over, tears blurring your sight. “Adam, please, stop.”
“Mommy, it's Daddy!” Adam cried.
The man knelt slowly. “It’s okay, miss. Let me.” His voice was deep… familiar. “Hey there. I’m not your daddy. My name is Leonardo. I’m a dangerous man,” he said. He's actually a mafia Boss
Adam didn’t listen. He threw his arms around the man again, sobbing. “Daddy! Daddy was also dangerous man… but he he was kind. He loved me and Mommy so much.”