Chapter 41: Chapter 42

Chapter 41

Don’t overthink it, Vanessa. We’ll uncover the truth soon,” Luciano assured, gently squeezing my shoulder as he brought the car to a stop by the roadside.

“I was so close,” I muttered, my gaze fixed on ground. “I could bet he’s lying.”

Luciano let a sigh.

“You need to relax and take your mind off of him.”

Finally. I looked up at him. He blinked and with a purposeful stride, he stepped out of the car, circling around to open my door. I was surprised by the location he had chosen.

“Why are w

?” I didn’t know what to say.

“To distract you. This is your favorite place, right?” Luciano questioned with a knowing smile.

“How do you ?” I asked, swallowing hard as my eyes scanned the surroundings.

“I know many things about you” he smiled at “even those that you don’t know” he murmured something like that under his breath.

Before I could ask him to repeat what he just said a little boy came running to me.

“Sissy!” He clapped excitedly

“John” sitting on my knees I hugged him “How have you been?”

“Fine. But you forgot us,” he pouted, pointing with an adorable puppy face.

“No, you guys are a special part of my life. How could I forget you?” I reassured him.

giggle filled the air as he planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. As I stood up, I noticed Mrs. Grace, the dedicated warden. of the orphanage, approaching us. She is serving it without any selfish motive.

“Greetings of the day Ms. Grace. How are you?” I asked her

“I am fine. How about you child? It’s been a long time since you last visited ”

I just smiled unable to make up any answer. I didn’t want to tell her the things that had taken place in my life.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Mrs. Grace asked, her gaze shifting to Luciano, who stood beside me.

Luciano turned to me, a subtle expectation in his eyes as if waiting for an introduction.

“My husband, Luciano De Valentino‘ I , surprising both Mrs. Grace and Luciano.

It was the first time had introduced him as such, and I caught a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Ohh‘ my attention again drew to Mrs. Grace “Welcome, Mr.

Mrs. Valentino. Come inside. Kids will be happy to see you

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I nodded. As I entered inside the orphanage I completely forgot about the meeting with the officer. There was something magical about this place, a haven of joy and innocence that had the power to erase all the stresses of the outside world. That’s why I used to visit here a lot. I like to cheer up these kids as I am also one among them and I know how it feels when someone talks to you with love.

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Chapter 41

The moment I entered, the kids abandoned their activities and rushed toward me. Their hugs enveloped me from sides as I found a spot to sit. Amid their genuine affection, I felt a profound sense of love and completeness. I showered kisses faces, and in return, they reciprocated with sweet, innocent kisses.

“We missed you,” they chimed in unison.

“I missed you too”

“Sissy, see what I have made,” one of the children said.

He showed me his recent painting and I appreciated him for his efforts, a kiss on his cheek. Looking at him, many came and started showing me the things they made and created. In all this, I didn’t know when the time passed and I completely forgot about Luciano who must be getting bored here.

I looked around to find playing with the kids. He was listening to their story with keen interest. It seems like he was also enjoying it here. As I watched him connect with the children, I couldn’t help but feel a newfound admiration for the man who not only understood my need for this place but embraced it with open arms.

“Sis, will you come to meet us in our new home as well?” One of the kids asked.

“New home?” My eyebrows drew in confusion

“Has she been adopted?” I asked Mrs. Grace.

I stood

to me.

up

beside her when she didn’t . The environment suddenly became serious. Luciano also sensed it and came

“Is everything fine, Mrs. Grace?” I inquired, but her silence only deepened the unsettling feeling.

Instead of answering, she lowered her gaze, confirming that something was amiss. Concerned, I stood up beside her, my eyes searching for clarity.

“Steph, tell me what happened?” I asked a 17 year old boy who is the oldest among them all and also mature enough to understand everything.

He looked at Mrs. Grace before throwing a bomb “The orphanage has been sold”

“What? Sold? To whom? How? When did it happen?” A barrage of questions flooded my mind, each one escaping my lips in rapid succession.

“Mrs. Grace, tell me Her eyes moved to the kids surrounding us.

“Steph, take the kids outside” Luciano ordered

Steph nodded and all of them towards the ground.

“Mrs. Grace” I squeezed her palm encouraging her to speak it out.

“Steph was right. Orphanage has been sold and the one who has bought it wants to construct a residential building here so that he could a residential building hair so that he could reap profit” she told me.

“How could he do that? Didn’t he think about these innocent souls for once?” I couldn’t fathom the cruelty behind such a heartless decision.

Mrs. Grace drew a deep breath. I have tried everything. I even almost begged in front of him, but he was not ready to listen. I don’t have the money he is asking for, and we don’t even know where he would take these kids. Her voice trembled as she shared the dire situation.

Chapter 41

My breath hitched in my throat, I knew the world was full of monsters but I couldn’t believe that someone could be this selfish and cruel to such innocent souls.

“

get the details of the person who has bought this place?” Luciano’s voice cut through the somber atmosphere.

Mrs. Grace looked up at him with hopeful eyes. She nodded her head. I stared at the back of Luciano when Mrs. Grace gave him the details of that person. He immediately made multiple calls telling his secretary the whole scenario and asking him to contact that person as soon as possible. After a few minutes, he got a callback. As he was standing close to us so we could hear secretary as well.

“Sir, he has agreed to sell the orphanage property to you but…” His secretary trailed off.

“But what?” Luciano asked.

“He asking for triple the rate of the land”

Me and Mrs.

shared looks. Luciano thought about it for a before replying.

“Finalize the deal and ask him not to bother the warden or the kids anymore” Luciano ordered taking three of us in surprise

“But sir, the land is not worth this huge investment…

“All the things are not done for profit. Just do as I am saying he cut him off.

“Ok sir”

He hangs up.

“Thank you so much sir, I don’t have enough words to thank you,” Mrs. Grace said, her eyes filled with tears of gratitude

“It’s ok, Mrs. Grace. You don’t need to thank Luciano said “Once this building is under my charge I will renovate it and let me know if you need something else.” He added.

She nodded and wiped the tears of happiness that spilled out of her eyes.

“I can’t wait to share this news with the kids. They will be happy to know”

Luciano nodded. Caressing my head she went straight to the garden to share the news with the children, leaving me Luciano alone.

“Thank you so much, Luciano” I spoke.

He turned around to face me.

“I haven’t done any favor on anyone. There is no need for you to thank me” he said.

“But! Before I could say anything he cut me off

“If you still want to thank me then you could do it tonight” he chuckled “In our bedroom, on our bed” he winked.

My cheeks turned red when I understood the meaning behind his words.

“Come out, we are celebrating!” One of the kids shouted from the door. He sounded excited.

With a smirk playing at the corner of his lips, he walked ahead while my eyes stared at his back. I was so sad when I couldn’t find out the truth of the death of my parents but now my heart is so happy. I couldn’t believe that he also had a soft spot for others. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as he looked back for a second to make sure I was following him.

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Shaking my head I followed him out to find the kids dancing and celebrating. We danced with them. Luciano also enjoyed

with them.

I couldn’t help but steal a few glances from him. The more I was looking at him the more my heart was for him.

I had never felt this when I was with Nathaniel. With my bitter past, I don’t want to fall for him but it seems like my heart has some other plan.