After spending so much time with Isabe, they dared not know she was pregnant. They simply thought she had gained some weighttely, preferring loose clothes. Little did they expect she was pregnant.


    “Listen, you both know how dangerous my situation is right now. William is still in Chicago, and he hasn’t been found yet. He might be watching us from the shadows. If he finds out that Isabe is pregnant, he will definitely find a way to harm her.”


    “We will protect thedy, Emanuele,” Tony and Harry said simultaneously.


    “Not only that, but we must keep this secret safe.”


    “Yes, I want it kept secret until the child is ten.”


    Ten years!


    Tony and Harry exchanged nces. Tony spoke, “If the child is only two or three years old, maybe it’s easier to keep the secret. But at ten, that’s too long. The child will grow, go to school, step out of the apartment. We can’t keep them hidden forever.”


    Emanuele knew all of this, but his enemies weren’t just the Sicilians; there were others. Once they knew his wife was pregnant, knew he had a child, they would undoubtedly target the child. He had experienced enough kidnappings and near-death experiences; he didn’t want his child to go through that.


    “Fine, but I think we must keep this secret as much as possible until we deal with William. We can’t let anyone know, not even your friends, rtives, or other colleagues.”


    Tony and Harry both nodded.


    Emanuele also discussed this matter with Lilly and Elisa.


    Elisa remained calm since she had known about it for a while. Lilly eximed, “Oh my God, no wonder I suspected Isabe was pregnant before. I didn’t expect she really is.”


    “Don’t tell anyone about this. Only a few of us should know. Lilly, please take care of Isabe’s diet.”


    “Don’t worry, Emanuele, I will take good care of Isabe.”


    After briefing them, Emanuele went to the liquor cab, poured himself a drink, and downed it. The fiery taste of vodka spread in his mouth, calming his restless emotions a bit.


    He was still a bit excited, thinking about Isabe being pregnant. He was both happy and anxious, extreme emotions coursing through his entire body.


    Happy because he was about to be a father, anxious about the dangers the child’s existence might bring.


    His ns were in disarray.


    But Emanuele was still happy in his heart. He loved Isabe so much, and now, they were going to have their own child-a gift from God. He was thrilled.


    Yet, Emanuele also felt guilty.


    He thought of Isabe crying, so fragile, afraid that he would take her for an abortion. To prevent him from taking her for an abortion, she kept it a secret, enduring the pain of early pregnancy alone.


    When did she find out she was pregnant? Emanuele didn’t ask, but it must have been some time ago.


    When he wanted to be intimate with her, and she resisted or asked him to be gentler, did she already know at that time?


    Thinking about it, Emanuele took a deep breath, feeling the air he inhaled was filled with knives, causing him pain all over.


    Oh, God, how careless he was not to notice any issues with Isabe’s body. If Isabe hadn’t told him, he would probably still be busy working, thinking she had gained some weight, right?


    He wasn’t a qualified husband or father. After having a drink, Emanuele poured another. The taste of alcohol finally suppressed the oppressive emotions in his heart.


    He sat in the living room for a while before heading back upstairs. By now, Isabe had finished her shower andy in bed, browsing her phone. Her emotions had calmed. She wanted to tell Evelyn about this but decided against it, considering Evelyn’s recent illness. Just asking about Evelyn’s health and whether she still felt unwell reassured Isabe.


    Seeing Emanuele close the bedroom door, he walked toward her. Emanuele sat on the bed and pulled Isabe into his arms. Then, he lifted her nightgown to observe her belly.


    When lying down, her belly appeared round, like a small bump, not very noticeable. Wearing loose clothes could easily conceal it. So when Isabe lied about gaining weight, Emanuele had believed her.


    Emanuele’s fingers massaged her flesh. Isabe’s skin was smooth, and her flesh was soft, making Emanuele reluctant to let go. He also noticed faint stretch marks on Isabe’s belly, something his cousin had mentioned years ago. He remembered that pregnant women needed to use a lotion to help reduce stretch marks. Husbands could also help apply the lotion, which could even arouse a woman’s desires. Emanuele noticed Isabe didn’t have such lotion, so he made a mental note to ask Lilly to buy some. Lilly, having three children, was experienced in this area and the best choice to take care of Isabe.


    Emanuele touched Isabe’s belly and moved on to caress her breasts. He realized they had berger, something he hadn’t noticed before, but now it was quite evident. Desire stirred within him, but Emanuele suppressed it; this wasn’t the time for intimacy.


    “Isabe, I’ve told Tony and the others. They’ll protect you well and keep this secret. We can’t let anyone know you’re pregnant.”N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Isabe blinked at Emanuele. “Even Grazia?”


    “Yes, even her.”


    “I understand.”


    “During this time, stay in the apartment. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the hospital for a checkup. If someone asks, say you’re not feeling well and need a checkup.”


    Isabe nodded, finding it odd that anyone would ask her such a question. Nevertheless, after discussing it with Emanuele, she felt relieved. Before, she felt like a thief, sneaking around and afraid of being discovered. Now that Emanuele knew, Isabe regretted not telling him earlier.


    “Emanuele, I’m sorry. I was scared during this time, so I secretly kept it from you. Please don’t be angry.”


    Looking at the girl in his arms, lying there like a little cat, Emanuele stroked Isabe’s silky auburn hair.


    “I’m not angry. I me myself for not noticing earlier. It’s all because of me; I was too forceful about having a child, and that’s why you didn’t dare tell me.”