Aww, I love the comments from last chapter. I laughed for some of them.

Here you go, what you've all been waiting for:
(I won't let you down)

-Mia-

I giggled, slapping his hand away. "Stop it!" My phone rang and I leaned over to grab it but he stopped me, burying his head in my neck and trying to give me a hickey. "Stop!" I laughed, managing to get my phone and tap the green button, not checking the caller ID.

"Hello?" I cheerfully asked, thinking it was someone I knew well.

"Mia."

I immediately hung up, pushing Vincenzo off me and sitting up. "What's wrong?" He asked, his face filled with concern. My phone rang again and I sighed, looking over at it and squeezing my eyes closed before opening them again and taking my phone.

"Hello, mother," I sarcastically said as she sighed on the mother end. "I thought I asked - no, told you not to call me?"

"Mia, please don't hang up. Listen, I'm trying to make my life right. I've stopped the drugs and the prostitution, I swear," she said, her voice sounding a little tired and genuine. I paid more attention as Vincenzo took my hand, drawing circles with his finger.

"I-I just need money for rehab . ."

There was a moment of silence before I spoke saying, "I don't believe you and I think you know why."

"Mia, darling-"

"Don't 'darling' me!" I couldn't help but snap.

"Look, I understand why you don't want to help me after all the times I've hurt you-"

"Yes, and you should understand why I'm going to hang up. Don't call me." I tapped the red button before burying my head in my hands and sighing, tears slipping out of my eyes.

"Mia?"

"I'm in a bad mood now, Vince, don't talk to me or I'll say something I'll regret." Although I couldn't see him, he hesitated before his hand went to my thigh but I slapped it lightly away. "Don't touch me - can you just leave me alone?"

"No," he said then he wrapped his arms around me and held me as I started to cry. "Don't cry," he quietly said, wiping my cheeks. "It's not good for you or the baby."

"I know," I tearfully said, trying to stop myself from crying for the baby. "Don't cry over her," he said to me, kissing my cheek. I nodded, sniffing and wiping my eyes before sighing.

I was four months pregnant and had actually been crying a lot lately. Later on, I was due to go to the hospital to find out the gender of the baby. I didn't want a surprise, I was too excited.

I sniffed, putting on a smile and facing him. "Baby scan today," I told him and he smiled, taking my hand. "What are you feeling? Boy or girl?"

"Hmm. ." I said, thinking. "I'm not sure and I don't really mind. Maybe another girl - or a boy to make it equal since we've already got a girl."

"A boy," Vincenzo said and I raised an eyebrow, "I thought you'd want a girl? Another one to spoil." He shook his head with a smile, "I could teach him stuff."

"Hm," I said, "hey, I was wondering, what would happen if you left the mafia? I mean, who would take over specifically?" I was hoping he would bring up Cristiano.

"A relative or my eldest son."

I paused, biting my lip and facing him properly. "I thought we talked about this?" I quietly asked. I was nervous and hoping he was going to correct himself.

"I changed my mind. Come on, it's almost time for the scan."

I followed him out the room silently. My hands felt warm and I no longer knew how to feel about him. He couldn't mean that, could he? I wasn't sure, to be honest, I didn't know what to think about him anymore.

We got to the hospital and I was laying on the bed as the doctor covered my bump with special gel. "It's cold," I said under my breath and the doctor smiled a little. "Sorry." Then, I heard a strong heartbeat and looked up at the screen, seeing my baby in black and white.

I smiled widely automatically, tears coming into my eyes. "Strong and healthy," the doctor murmured as he too looked at the screen.

That's my baby!

"Would you like to know the gender?" I nodded, sniffing and wiping my eyes.

"A strong and healthy boy."

"Oh!" I said with a gasp as I watched my baby on the screen. "That's great," I said with a smile. I glanced over at Vincenzo, his head down as he looked at his phone screen. I frowned, "Do you have to be on that while we watch our baby? Which is a boy?"

"Boy?" Vince said, looking up at me as I rolled my eyes. "Yes, a baby boy."

"Thank you, doctor," I said as he wiped the gel off me, the baby taken away from the screen. "I'll get you some copies," he said, leaving the room as I pulled my shirt down. I sighed shaking my head as I adjusted my position on the chair.

"Sorry," Vince said as I frowned. "Course you are."

The doctor gave us some copies of the baby's scan and I smiled widely, staring at them happily as I went back to the house. "A boy, huh?" Vince said and I nodded, "blue everything."

Inside, I started to panic a little. What if he really did mean what he said? That the eldest son would be part of the mafia. I tried to shrug the awful thoughts away and keep happy - remembering that I had just watched my baby and seen that he was okay, but I couldn't. I needed to know that the baby wasn't going to be involved in his father's life.

I was about to ask him about it when he said, "look, I've got to go. I'll pick up April from school soon and I'll see you tonight."

I scratched my wrist. "Do you have to go now? You've been really distant. We've just found out that we're having a boy."

"I know, I know," he said, kissing my cheek. "But I have to."

"Fine," I said as he smiled, pecking my lips. "You're the best. I'll see you later." And he left. I sighed, going into the living room and grabbing the laptop, beginning to search baby outfits and furniture.

I was about to order things when I realised I shouldn't. I wouldn't be able to take any of it with me.

I closed the laptop, going upstairs and into the bedroom.

The house was quiet. Leonardo was working, Maria was with her kids away, Liliana was back with her mother and April was at school. I was the only one at home.

I sighed, pulling out a large duffel bag from the cupboard and putting it on the bed before opening the wardrobe, beginning to pick out clothes.

I heard the front door close around two hours later. I quickly hid the bag before going downstairs, April immediately running to me. I smiled, picking her up and hugging her, kissing her cheek. "Hello, sweetie, how was school?"

"Good, mama!" She said as I put her down. "How baby?" April was often asking me about the baby and had loads of questions about him and some, I didn't know how to answer.

"Baby's good, April. The baby is a boy."

"A boy?" She repeated, her face scrunching up a little. "Ewie!" I chuckled, shaking my head. "Not 'ewie!', that's your brother," I told her and she put her hand on my stomach. "Okay!" She cheerfully said.

"Why don't you go upstairs and play for a little bit while I make you some food?"

"Mmh! Food! Food!" I laughed, kissing her cheek before letting her run upstairs energetically.

Vincenzo played with the keys in his hands. "Whatcha makin'?" He asked and my smile faded a little but I brought it back up. "I'm not sure yet. Maybe some bolognese," I told him. "Shouldn't you be working?"

He nodded, walking forward, towards me. "Yeah. But first . ." He pressed his lips against mine, kissing me as I kissed him back. We kissed for a while before I pulled away with a smile saying that he needed to go. "Okay, Okay!" He said with a grin, pecking my lips once more before leaving.

Guilt ran through me. I swallowed, feeling uncomfortable and beginning to question myself.

I sighed, placing my hand on my stomach, rubbing it gently. "I'm doing this for you and your sister," I said quietly before exhaling loudly and going into the kitchen to make some food.

The food was ready not long after. I fed April, washed her and tucked her into bed a few hours later. I made her go to bed an hour earlier than usual and she seemed to notice that. "Get some sleep, dear," I murmured, kissing her forehead. "You're going to need it."

I went into the bedroom and my phone vibrated.

Evry thing k?
- C.

I quickly text back:

All set
- M.

I sighed, switching off my phone and changing into my pyjamas as it was night.

I sat on the couch, watching a comedy show. It was almost done when Vincenzo walked in. I smiled as he walked over, leaning down and kissing me shortly. "How was your day?" I asked kindly as he took off his tie. "Alright, yours?"

"Fine," I replied as he sat beside me.
"What'd you wanna watch?" He asked as the movie ended. "Hmm. . You choose," I responded, giving him the remote.

He chose another comedy and pulled me close as it started. My head was on his chest and so was one of my hands. I bit my lip as we watched, clicking my back a little. "Does your back hurt? Do you want a massage?" I shook my head, blinking back the tears that he couldn't see. "No, no," I said brightly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

He played with my hair a little before poking my side, making me gasp a little. I was a ticklish person and any touch would make me laugh or shriek. "Hey!" I said and he shrugged a little. "It wasn't me." I rolled my eyes, "Clearly it was."

"Nah, it was. .must of been a ghost." He poked my side again and I let out a small shriek, sitting up and staring at him with a smile on my face as he gave me a playful look. "Where's that damn ghost?" He asked, glancing around the room as I gave him a 'really' look.

"Stupid," I muttered. "What was that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow playfully, "huh? Huh?" He asked while tickling my sides, causing me to burst out laughing. "Stupid! I said stupid!"

I was laughing, laying on my back while he tickling my sides. "Stop! Stop!" I laughed, trying to push his arms away. "I don't know . . if it's good for the . . the baby!" He stopped, "of course it is?" But it sounded more like a question.

I shrugged, sitting up. "I can't seem to find an proper answer. I don't want to risk it." I smiled, sitting down and placing my head on his chest. "It was fun while it lasted."

"Oh, really?" His hand started to move again and I stopped him, using his hand to wrap his arm around me. "Would you rather," he started while playing with my hand. "Have sex -"

"Here we go," I murmured, chuckling a little. "-have sex with a hideously, ugly person - like ugly as in beauty and the beast, beast ugly-"

"He wasn't ugly!" I protested.

"Mia, he was a beast, they're all damn ugly." I chuckled a little, slapping his chest lightly. "The movie is romantic."

"A poor woman falls in love with a magical animal that turns into a human again, ugly as fuck."

I bursted out laughing, shaking my head. "Don't be so blunt. Anyway, continue."

"Okay, have sex with a hideous person or with a beautiful corpse?"

I scrunched my face up a little, "I don't even need to hesitate; a hideous person. A corpse?" I fake gagged, "ew."

"Okay," he chuckled a little, his chest rising and his deep voice rumbling a little in his chest. "Would you rather lick a stranger's condom or lick a stranger's dirty underwear?"

I gagged a little, "why are they so dirty? Urgh. .um. .lick a condom."

"Why?"

"I am not licking some infected underwear, no thanks!" I said, shuddering a little. "Your turn."

"Would you rather be sober for the rest of your life or piss at our child's graduation?"

"Piss at the graduation."

"Why?"

"It doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will see. I could just hide in the back."

"What about the smell?"

"I'll quickly run to the toilet then."

I shook my head, smiling a little.
That man.

"Would you rather be horny all the time or horny once a year?"

"Once a year - scratch that, maybe all the time - I don't know about that one."

"Hmm. ." I said before yawning. "Come on, it's late, let's go to bed." He switched off the television and I was about to stand until he lifted me up, carrying me bridal style. I gasped as he took me to the bed, helping me under the covers. "Thank you," I said with a smile as he kissed my cheek before changing into some loose trousers, his chest exposed.

I leaned over and kissed him a little too hard and he pulled away with a chuckle. "Calm down, pregnant lady." I smiled, rolling my eyes as he pressed his lips against mine again, pulling me close only to feel my bump against his stomach. We pulled away, looking down. I shuffled away a little, chuckling softly.

"I love you," I whispered and he kissed me again as I put my hand on his cheek, caressing it a little as we kissed. I squeezed my eyes closed, hoping to get the tears in them out. He pulled away again and frowned a little, "What's wrong?" I shook my head, blinking back the tears as I quickly thought of an excuse. "I-I just - hormones."

"You sure?" He asked, his beautiful eyes filled with concern and I nodded, sniffing and wiping them. "Don't worry."

"Kiss me," I whispered and he did, making out with me for a while before I pulled away, laying my head on his chest and drawing imaginary circles on it. "Vince, I love you so, so much."

"Aw, thanks, baby, I love me too."

I shook my head, looking up at him with a smile. "Seriously, I love you too, mia cara."

"Yeah, but don't forget it," I told him quietly our eyes locked. "Don't ever forget that I love you." He gave me a weird look and I quickly added playfully, "or I'll kick your butt." He chuckled, softly before leaning down and kissing me gently. "I won't and I love you too."

I fell asleep comfortably in his arms, the feeling was lovely. I was warm and comfy but not all things last forever.

It was three am when I woke up. I slowly sat up and looked over at him. He was sleeping so peacefully and calmly, and looked incredibly sexy. I bit my lip, already feeling guilty.

How could someone so loving and sexy be so horrible.

But I love him.

My hand instinctively went to his cheek, caressing it softly. He was a deep sleeper and probably didn't even feel this. My fingers then went to his lips, my thumb slowly grazing over his bottom lip.

I love you.

Sighing quietly, I slowly moved his arm away from me, carefully slipping out of the duvet, sitting on the edge of the bed. I looked over again, wanting to hit myself for this stupid mistake.

Guilt.

I can't . .

I squeezed my eyes closed before placing my hand on my stomach.

For the baby - and April.

I silently sighed before carefully opening the drawer and getting out a piece of scrap paper, quickly scribbling a note with a pencil and leaving it on the side.

I looked over at him again, sadly. I leaned over and pressed my lips against his cheek, my lips lingering there for a moment before I moved away, ensuring that he was covered properly and comfortably with the duvet.

I quickly changed into the outfit I had already laid out and grabbed the duffel bag from its hidden spot. I grabbed the large amount of money from the drawer that I had taken out of my bank and shoved it into the bag. I tiptoed out of the room, not looking back.

I swiftly went into April's room, grabbing the clothes that I had already taken out for her and getting her changed while she slept. Her eyes fluttered open and I hushed her, telling her quietly to go back to sleep and she did. I quickly shoved a few of her favourite toys into the duffel bag, some of her clothes and mine already in there.

I picked her up carefully as she slept before carefully and silently leaving the room, the bag on one of my shoulders and April's head on the other.

Too much pressure on the baby is bad. .

Careful. .

Careful. .

I quickly went downstairs, preparing for my new life outside that door - outside of that entire place.

I was going to go move in with Cat, far from here. It would be a new life for me and April and the baby - a safer life. I knew Vincenzo would try and track me down so I took all my money out the bank and left my phone and April's iPad.

I love him so much but that was the problem. I loved him so much that I would always forgive him. I was a forgiving person - a Christian. .but sometimes not a very good one. I grew up constantly forgiving my mother, I felt like I owed it to her the same way I feel about Vincenzo. For some reason, I always forgave him because I loved him and felt like I owed it to him but I didn't. I had to get rid of that feeling.

I needed to let go and move on. He wasn't being good to me anymore and was always taking advantage of me. It needed to stop and he needed to prove to me different and stick to it. It hurt, a lot. I needed to go, clear my head and have some space to think - breathe properly. I didn't know whether I was breaking up up with him or just leaving. But either way, I was leaving for a better life for me and my kids.

I was so close to the door, my hand on the handle only to hear, "Mia."

I froze, squeezing my eyes closed before opening them. Was I going mad? Did someone say my name? Was I caught?

I slowly turned, gasping a little and taking a step back.

There he was, stood with his arms folded and a hard look on his face. "V-Vince. ." I whispered, tears coming into my eyes.

Dammit! I was so close!

I couldn't run with a toddler and a heavy bag while pregnant. I didn't want a miscarriage so I stopped and looked at him sadly.

What was he going to do?

He walked over to me and my breath hitched, my heart pounding as he stopped in front of me, his eyes darkening. His hands then went to April but I held onto her, tears almost blurring vision. "Vince, no. .please-"

"Give her to me," he said in a low tone and I obeyed, letting him take her. She stirred a little in her sleep and I almost reached out for her but didn't as she went back to sleep, her head on her father's shoulder.

He then used his other hand to push the strap of the bag off my shoulder and it dropped onto the floor with a thud. He then turned, going upstairs and tears spilled out of my eyes.

I turned, glancing at the door. There was my chance.

No, Mia! How could you even consider it? Your daughter is here!

But she's with her father, safe. .

No.

I wiped my cheeks, how could I even consider it? I couldn't leave April. I was shaking as I made my way upstairs, standing in the doorway of April's room as a thousand questions swirled around in my mind.

He was tucking her into bed, kissing her forehead as my bottom lip quivered and more tears came into my eyes.

So close. .

The main question in my mind was: What was he going to do? I was terrified inside and he stood, turning to face me. He walked over, moving past me and going to our room. I bit my lip, wiping my eyes before following him and closing the door behind me as I entered.

His back was facing me and he was by the drawer, rummaging around in it. I cautiously walked over. "Vince, I-I'm sorry, but you need to understand why I-"

He turned, holding some clothing in his hand. My breath hitched as his hand slowly went to my shirt, lifting it up and taking it off me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as his hands slowly went to my trousers, taking them off, leaving me only in my bra and knickers.

What was he going to do?

I didn't want to fear the worst but I couldn't help but let it flow into my mind. What if he hit me? What if he took advantage of me?

He then unclipped bra, taking it off and putting it into the drawer. "Vince, please say something," I shakily asked but he didn't reply, instead unfolding what seemed to be a night dress - my night dress that was satin silk, a light purple colour.

He slipped it onto me, dressing me with it. I looked at him but he didn't meet my eyes. "Vince?" I asked quietly but yet again he didn't reply, instead took my hand, leading me to the bed.

He got in, taking my hand and helping me in. I was laying down on my side, my back to his chest. Tears spilled out of my eyes as he wrapped his arm around me, his hand snaking under my arm, over my stomach and to my shoulder. I wasn't going to be able to get out now, he was holding me protectively.

His head went to my neck, his lips kissing it softly as I cried silently.

"Don't you dare try and leave like that again."

I shivered, nodding slowly and fearfully.

I didn't sleep for a long time and I knew he was awake too but eventually, I did drift away in his arms, falling into a dark abyss.

___

O M G

Oh, my goodness. . .

Vote - Did you enjoy this chapter? Don't forget to tap that star!

Comment - what are your thoughts?

Share - Spread the word!

Follow - the more the merrier!

E n J o Y ! ! !