Chapter 58

Chapter 58
 Anika:
  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Isabel this happy.
  Honestly, I expected the nightmare from earlier to leave her shaken—just like it’s still haunting me—but no. 
 She’s bouncing with so much joy.
  Right now, I’m sitting quietly on a long wooden bench, my lips curling into a smile as I watch them.
  Matteo and Isabel.
  “Where are youuu? Show your face…” Isabel squeals, her tiny feet thumping against the grass as she scurries about. 
  Matteo is crouched low behind a bright blue barrel. He’s grinning like a mischievous child himself. She’s already passed him twice, completely oblivious.
  “I’m getting tired!” she huffs, pausing to put her hands on her hips, “but I’m not giving up. I’m gonna find you, and then you’re buying me that cotton candy!”
  She throws me a sly little glance, as though daring me to give away his hiding spot. I can’t help but chuckle, quickly looking away. 
  No way am I betraying him.
  Moments later, she spins around and then her sharp little eyes finally lands on the barrel. “Aha!” she shrieks, dashing forward. Matteo barely has a chance to escape before she’s on him, her laughter spilling into the air like music.
  He scoops her up, tossing her gently into the air as she giggles and wraps her arms around his neck. “Found me, huh? Guess that means cotton candy for my little hunter,” he teases, making her squeal even louder.
  What follows is nothing but laughter and squeals. Matteo chases Isabel around the swings while she shrieks with delight, the two of them taking turns on the seesaw, pushing each other higher and higher until I’m sure I’ll faint from watching. 
  Then Isabel grabs both our hands, tugging us toward the merry-go-round like we’re kids ourselves.
  I give in, reluctantly at first, but their smiles are infectious. Soon, I’m laughing too, breathless but lighter than I’ve felt in a long time.
  “Mummy, can we go play that one?” Isabel beams as soon as we’re done. She tugs at my shirt with both hands while pointing excitedly at a brightly colored ride not too far from us. Her eyes sparkle with so much hope, I already know my answer doesn’t stand a chance.
  “Jeez,” I mutter under my breath, already feeling my legs protest. I glance at Matteo. “Wanna go?”
  “Why not?” He says, “We’re doing everything she wants.”
  I groan dramatically, but before I can argue, Isabel throws her little arms around me and squeezes tight. “I love you, Mummy!”
  And just like that, my heart melts into a puddle. “Fine!”
  “Yayyy!” she squeals, spinning around so quickly I almost get dizzy just watching her. 
 It doesn’t take a few seconds before her eyes widen. “Look at that! Can we go take pretty pictures at the photo booth?”
  I arch a brow. “Jeez, Isabel. You’ve gotta pick one—the ride… or the photo booth?”
  She taps her chin dramatically before grinning. “Uhm… photo booth!”
  We hop down from the merry-go-round and start making our way toward the bright little booth decorated with balloons and flashing lights. Isabel is still catching her breath, her cheeks flushed pink as she skips happily between us.
  Not until she hears-
  “Isabel!”
  We all turn, and Isabel’s eyes instantly light up.
  By the slide, waving eagerly, stands a pup just her age. Most definitely her friend.
  “Nevaeh!!!”
  Before I can even process it, the little girl comes rushing toward us.
  “Hi, Alpha!” she squeaks at Matteo before turning her attention to me. “Hi, soon-to-be Luna!”
  I blink, caught off guard, and manage a small smile. “Hi, Nev—”
  But Isabel’s quick to cut me off.
 She tugs at my sleeve with wide, pleading eyes. “Mummy, she’s my friend! Can I go play with her, please??”
  I swallow hard. My gaze flicks toward Matteo.
  He doesn’t say a word. 
  I turn back to Isabel and gently shake my head. “No, sweetheart. You can’t. We can’t let you both leave alone. She’s without—”
  “My mummy’s here!!” Nevaeh suddenly interrupts.
  Before I can react, I sense someone beside me. My head tilts, and I find a woman standing there, smiling warmly.
  “Hi, our beautiful Doctor Luna!” she greets, her tone sweet as honey. “I’m Allison, Nevaeh’s mum. I just went over there to grab something. Don’t worry, you can leave. I’ll watch over both of them.”
  I study her carefully, my eyes trailing over her. Goddess help me, but something about her doesn’t sit right. 
  My instincts scream, ‘don’t leave Isabel with her.’
  “I’m sorry, Alli—” I start, but Isabel tugs at my hand.
  “Please, Mum!!!” she begs, pulling out her deadliest weapon. Those big puppy eyes.
  Before I can answer, she spins toward Matteo. “Please, Dad!! I’ll be back very soon, I promise!”
  Matteo looks torn.
  His jaw is tight as he glances between Isabel, Allison, and me—stuck right in the middle of letting her go or keeping her close.
  I sigh and raise my hand in surrender. “Fine, Isabel. You’re getting your way, just like you always do, hm?”
  Leaning down, I bob her nose, making her giggle. But as I straighten and glance at Allison, I swear I catch something flicker in her eyes. Something I can’t quite place.
  Strange.
  “Uhm, thank you, Allison,” I say, forcing a polite smile. “We’ll be sitting on that bench over there, watching them too.”
  “Sure.”
  Within moments, Isabel and Nevaeh dart off together, while Matteo and I make our way toward the bench, settling down with our eyes fixed on the two girls.
  Before I know it, Matteo’s arm slides around my waist. He pulls me flush against him. “Goddess, you smell...”
  “Like shit?”
  “Whoa, what?” he chuckles. “You smell good. Same as always.”
  I snort, swatting lightly at his chest. “Yeah, right. I smell like sweat. I’ve been running around all day—I probably reek.”
  He just grins. “Still worth it though, wasn’t it? I had a blast. Honestly, I could come here every day.”
  I roll my eyes, though the smile tugging at my lips betrays me. “Well, no one’s stopping you.”
  That sets him off, a full laugh spilling out of him. He tosses some quick remark my way, and before I know it, I’m laughing too.
  Really laughing. The kind I didn’t think I had in me today.
  Then his tone shifts. He goes quiet for a beat.
  Before finally saying, 
  “That reminds me,I want to give you something.”
  My brows lift. “What is it?”
  He slips his arm from my waist, reaching into his pocket before pulling out a small card.
  Gently, He presses it into my palm.
  “Here,” he says. “Tell me what you think about this .”