How stupid he’d been to even think she was alone.
Women like her… they were never alone.
And Rosa—
She definitely had more lovers than she could count on her fingers, always had men ready to come running for her.
Disgust and anger surged through him, hot and bitter.
Without another glance at the empty street, Luciano stalked back to his car, slid into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door shut—hard.
He clenched his jaw, started the engine, and drove off in fury.
Dr.
DeLuca dropped Rosa at the entrance of her building.
She felt a little steadier now and returned his coat with a murmured, “Thank you.”
”No, keep it,” he said, gesturing with his hands.
Only then did she realize his expensive coat was drenched from her wet clothes.
She hugged it to herself, lowered her head, and murmured, “I’m sorry.
I’ll return it after dry cleaning.”
But Dr.
DeLuca just shook his head.
“No need.
Truly.
Just keep it.”
Rosa lifted her eyes to his face.
He was watching her silently, saying nothing.
Something awkward stretched between them, and she turned to open the car door.
Just as she was about to step away, he called softly, “Rosa… wait.”
She stopped and glanced back.
He got out of the car first, walking around to open the passenger door for her.
Rosa stepped out, beginning to walk toward the building.
“Let me drop you at your flat,” he offered.
Rosa bit her lip.
“Thank you, Doctor.
You’ve already done so much for me.
I can manage from here. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
I’m alright now.”
”Are you sure?” His eyes held genuine concern.
Rosa nodded, offering a faint, reassuring smile before heading to the elevator.
Dr.
DeLuca remained where he was until she disappeared inside the elevator and it began its ascent.
He let out a long sigh, turned on his heel, and walked back to his car before driving away.
When Rosa finally stepped inside her apartment, the events of the evening hit her all at once.
Every detail replayed in her mind—Dr.
DeLuca’s concern, his gentle care, the way he had held her in his arms.
Then a sudden, unsettling feeling stirred in her chest, making her heart flutter in denial.
Why was he being so gentle?
Was he like this with everyone—or only with her?
Did he… did he—
Dread washed over her as she remembered Lucy teasing her, “I think Dr.
DeLuca likes you.”
She shook her head.
No… that isn’t possible.
Rosa went straight to the bathroom, still shivering from being drenched in the cold rain.
She took a warm shower, letting the heat comfort her chilled skin, then quickly got dressed to leave for the hospital.
Her heart was still in panic, and her only calm was Renzo—her angel, the light of hope who gave her strength to fight back.
Desperate to see her son, she rushed to board a bus and reach the hospital.
She sent Lucy home, insisting she get some rest, and stayed with Renzo the whole night.
Renzo slept better with his mother beside him, but Rosa barely slept at all.
Watching her son wince in pain had been one of the hardest moments of her life.
And it made her resolve even stronger.
She had to arrange the money.
She had to get pregnant by Renzo’s biological father so the newborn’s cord-blood stem cells could save her son.
Rosa was feeding Renzo his doctor-prescribed meal when Lucy arrived, so she waited quietly until they were done.
Only then did they sit together and eat.
Lucy asked how the meeting had gone the day before, and Rosa told her everything—how Luciano had ruined her chance to convince the charity board and how they had rejected her application.
“What now?” Lucy asked worriedly.
She wanted to help, but she didn’t have the kind of money it would take to cover Renzo’s hospital bills.
“I’ll figure something out,” Rosa said with a smile that proved her spirit was still alive, unbroken.
“Rosa, today is Sunday, and our store usually gets really crowded,” Lucy added as they ate.
“My manager mentioned they need extra staff on weekends.
If you’re interested, I can give him your name.”
”Thank you, Lucy… I really need this job,” Rosa sighed.
“Honestly, I need any job I can get right now.
I have to earn more money.”
Her voice faltered.
“But Renzo…?
I don’t know how I’ll manage.”
Rosa’s worry showed clearly on her face, her hands tightening around the breakfast cup.
Until now, whenever Rosa wasn’t with Renzo, Lucy stayed with him.
And the moment Rosa came back, Lucy left for work.
That was the only way they had been managing things—and even that routine was fragile.
“He’s usually fine during the day,” Lucy reminded gently.
“The nurses and staff take good care of him.
It’s only the nights that are hard because of the pain.”
Rosa nodded, though her heart felt heavy.
She hated the idea of being away from him, but she needed the work.
She couldn’t let an opportunity pass.
“Okay,” she finally said.
Lucy’s face lit up with relief.
“Great.
I’ll take you there.”