Watching them together. Emma's laughter, Sophie's calm, Edward's steady presence...it all looked like a picture of the life I could never have.
A crazy thought formed before I could stop it.
Maybe Matteo's deal could change that. Maybe if... I could not complete the thought because it felt too unreal, yet it made total sense.
Without thinking further, I grabbed my phone and typed a message.
We need to talk. At my place.
For a moment, I hesitated. Should I really do this? But before I could have second thoughts, my thumb had already hit "send."
Minutes later, my phone buzzed.
Matteo was calling.
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Were you serious?" His voice was low, calm, but there was something sharp beneath it.
"Yes," I whispered, my eyes drifting to where Sophie and Edward were showing Emma her closet. "I'm serious. I want to discuss something."
There was a pause on his end. I could almost hear the faint sound of him exhaling smoke.
