Chapter 162

Chapter 162
The shrill ringtone of Rafael’s phone broke through the tense silence. Bernice flinched, startled from her thoughts as Rafael answered. His expression, initially sharp, softened slightly as he listened.

“She’s awake?” His voice carried a mix of relief and urgency. “We’re on our way.”

Bernice’s heart leaped at his words. “Mia?”

Rafael nodded, snapping his phone shut. “The hospital called. She’s asking for you.”

Without waiting for another word, Rafael pulled Bernice to his car, started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, speeding toward the hospital. Alexander’s car followed close behind, his headlights glaring in the rearview mirror like unspoken accusations.

“I’ll need to explain things to her and Luca” Bernice murmured, her voice trembling as she twisted her hands in her lap.

"You will get the chance," Rafael replied tightly, his eyes fixed on the road. "But it is no longer just about you. It's time the kids knew the truth."

Bernice's chest tightened; she wanted to argue but knew deep inside that he was right.

Presently at the hospital, the group met the sight of Madam Alice holding the other twin, Luca clutching some soft toy, innocently giggling down the hall as he tugged at Madam Alice's hands, making gestures to see her sister.

"Mommy!" Luca squealed, loosening his grip on madam Alice hand and made his run for Bernice; he wrapped his small arms around her legs.

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't be running this fast," Bernice whispered, falling to her knees to hug him.

"He's been asking about Mia non-stop," Madam Alice said, her voice warm yet firm. "I thought it best to bring him to see her."

Before Bernice could utter a word, Luca's eyes sparkled, and he saw Alexander emerge walking into the hospital hallway.

"Uncle Alex!" the boy yelled, running to him at full speed. 

“Luca, wait!” Bernice called behind him but he didn't stop till he reached Alexander.

Alexander hunched down to pick him  up, features alight despite the tautness in his face. "Well, isn't it my favorite troublemaker?"

"Did you bring candy?" Luca asked, wide-eyed with hope.

"Always," Alexander replied, fumbling two small chocolates from his pocket. He handed them over with a conspiratorial wink. He had always brought candy for them when he visited them in Florence. He stopped by to buy their favourite candy on his way to the hospital. 

Rafael stood a little apart, his jaw set hard as he watched the interplay. Luca's enthusiasm for Alexander cut deep-a painful reminder of years lost.

Bernice caught the flicker of hurt in Rafael's eyes and felt a pang of guilt twist in her chest. She hesitated, then stepped closer to him. "He doesn't  know yet, Rafael. Give them time.”

"They have had enough time with him," Rafael muttered, "it is me they need to know now."



The little girl's face in the hospital room paled as her brother bounded into the bed beside her.

"Mia!" he burst forth as he hugged her small figure closely. "I missed you so much!"
Mia giggled weakly, her spindly hands grasping for Luca's arm. "I missed you, too."

Alexander stood at the foot of the bed, smiling warmly. “How’s my brave little princess?”

“Uncle Alex!” Mia called out, reaching out her hands and Alexander understood immediately and wrapped her in a hug, carefully enough not to hurt her fragile body.

“Mommy, where have you been?” Mia turned to Bernice after Alexander released her. 

Bernice leaned over and kissed Mia’s forehead. “Always here,  my love.”

As the children chatted excitedly, Rafael lingered near the door, his presence heavy and silent. It wasn’t until Mia glanced up at him curiously that he stepped closer.

"Who's that?" Mia asked, big eyes wide and staring at Rafael. “I saw him in my dream.” 

Bernice and Alexander realized that she had seen Rafael when she first woke up in Florence but now she thinks it was a dream.

Alexander's smile faltered, Bernice froze; her breath caught in her throat.

"That's…" Bernice's voice had wobbled. She took another deep breath and forced herself to carry on. "That's your daddy."

The room had fallen into an uneasy silence.

"My daddy?" Luca echoed his head tilting sideways in confusion.

"Yes," Bernice replied, joining them on the floor. "Your real daddy."

The twins stared at each other, little minds churning in the process of revelation.

"But Uncle Alex is our new daddy," Mia said innocently. "Right, Uncle Alex?"

Alexander's face pulled tight before he let out a forced gentle smile. "I have always been here for you, Mia. But-" He looked up, turning toward Bernice as if pleading for some form of help.

"But Rafael is your real father," Bernice added over and above in that soft voice of hers. "He's just been very busy that's he didn't come to see you.” 

Rafael gave Bernice a grateful look and Bernice nodded at him with a smile.

Luca scrunched his face, small fists clenching in his stuffed animal. "We have two daddies now?"

The question was out there now, just hanging in the air, just begging to detonate like a bomb.

Rafael and Alexander shared a weighted look; between them, the weight of this child's words settled in heavy. For a moment, neither man said anything, the unspoken rivalry boiling just below the surface.

Bernice looked upon them, her heart beating rapidly as she struggled for something to say.