He Made Us His Secret, So We Disappeared novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Concern

Chiara put down her suitcase in Lucia's hall and opened her arms.

"Marcello. Thank God. You didn't answer your phone, and I thought something had happened to you."

Lucia did not move out of the doorway.

"Chiara Lombardi. You are a long way from Park Avenue."

"Mrs. Ferraro, it's been so long." Chiara kissed the air beside her cheek. "I took the first flight I could find."

"With a suitcase."

"I wasn't sure how long I'd need to stay."

"We have a hotel on the corner," Lucia said. "It is very nice."

Chiara laughed softly, and pretended not to hear.

She walked into the dining room and stopped when she saw Miles at the table with a fork in his hand.

Her eyes went wide.

"Naomi," she said. "Oh, Naomi, I had no idea."

I put my napkin down.

"No idea about what?"

"That you and Marcello were..." She pressed a hand to her chest. "Married. All these years. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Marcello didn't want it known."

"Of course he didn't, with the firm and everything." She turned to Marcello, and her voice dropped. "I'm not angry. I just wish someone had trusted me."

Marcello stood very still.

"Chiara," he said. "Not now."

"I understand."

She walked around the table to Miles and crouched beside his chair.

"You must be Miles. I'm Chiara. I've heard so much about you."

Miles looked at her for a moment.

"You're the one who has the same birthday."

"I am!" She beamed. "Isn't that funny?"

"Mom says it's a coincidence."

"What a good mother you have."

She took a small box from her bag and set it beside his plate.

"A late present. I had it made for you."

Miles looked at me. I nodded.

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