Prisioner In Your Arms

Sometimes things don’t go as we want or plan. Bruno, for one reason or another, couldn’t be with his son. He returned to the United States disillusioned. It wasn’t easy to tell Nicole that they hadn’t found any clues about their son. His mind was already too damaged.

Upon arriving at the mansion, she came out to greet him. He felt the warmth of her embrace, and it was clear that she was starting to have feelings for him again, which pleased him.

“I’m glad you’re back safe. Have you found any leads on our son?”

“Not yet. At least we know he’s no longer in the hands of that madman Sergio. If Deborah saved him, it’s because Santi managed to win her stone heart over. Our son has a way of touching people.”

He hugged her tightly, inhaling the soft scent emanating from her body. She was his safe place, the one he would always return to. When Bruno let go of her, Leandro approached to greet her.

“Hello.”

“Hello, brother,” she called him that for the first time, and it felt strange. “I need to talk to you. I’ve been told you’re my brother, but I have no idea why.”

“When the time is right, we can talk about it. The doctor has given us permission to do so.”

Nicole was tired of all the secrets. Noah and Rina were very affectionate with her, always caring, but she didn’t know who they were. Where did these people come from?

Rina came out and approached Leandro to greet him.

“Son, I’m glad you returned safely. What have you found out about my grandson?” she asked while embracing him. When she realized what she had done, she let go of Leandro and covered her mouth with both hands. Nicole was astounded. If that woman was Leandro’s mother, why did she refer to Santi as her grandson?

“I think it’s time you gave me an explanation. I don’t care what the doctor says, I believe I have the right to know what’s going on. Enough with the lies and hiding things,” Nicole said.

“Sorry, Nicole. Leandro loves Santi as if he were his own son. That’s why I insisted on being called grandmother,” Rina hoped Nicole would believe her words.

“Ah, I see. Sorry, but without my memories, I feel like things are being kept from me,” Nicole replied.

“I understand. It must be difficult for you,” Rina empathized.

Later, in her room, Nicole was lying on Bruno’s chest. The rhythmic beating of his heart made her feel calm. At that moment, as she turned to the door, a memory came to her mind. Bruno was leaning against the door, and a woman was embracing him while she watched.

She distanced herself from him, observing him sleep. She got up slowly and headed towards Sara’s room. The nanny opened the door, curious when she heard Nicole knocking.

“Is something wrong, my dear?” Sara asked.

“I need to talk to you, Nana,” Nicole said.

“Tell me.”

“I had a faint memory. Bruno was leaning against the door of a room, and a woman was hugging him while I watched. I know it wasn’t a pleasant experience for me because I felt a terrible pressure in my chest. Tell me, Nana, who was that woman?”

“My dear, I think you must have dreamt it. You need to stay calm. Your husband loves you.”

Nicole left still doubting. She was sure it was a memory, not just a dream.

Meanwhile, in Pavia, Lombardy, near Milan, in a small country house, Deborah was with Santi. The child was gradually gaining trust in her. She had explained to him, in a way he could understand, that she was his father’s true mother.

“I’ve met many grandparents.”

“That’s right, you have many. For now, you’ll be here with me, but I promise you’ll be able to go back to your parents.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The boy hugged her, and Deborah felt something she had never felt before. This child had awakened emotions in her that she didn’t know she could feel.

She thought that perhaps life was giving her the opportunity to redeem herself and start a new life with Santi.

The property was located on the banks of the Ticino River, surrounded by vineyards and other fields. Santi was delighted to see some cows. He had never seen one up close, only on television. Deborah had chosen that region because she was sure Sergio would think she was leaving the country, so he would never imagine that she was nearby, let alone that she had chosen a house in the countryside. She had always told him she hated the simple life of the countryside.

Several weeks passed, and Bruno and Leandro would return to Italy. Nicole and Bruno had not missed an opportunity to show their love for each other during this time, especially during the nights, in the privacy of their room.

They were having breakfast together, and after that, Bruno would head to the airport. However, when Nicole smelled the food, she couldn’t help but feel nauseous. She ran to the bathroom, and he followed her, holding her hair as she vomited uncontrollably.

Sara had already noticed certain changes in Nicole but didn’t say anything. She preferred that the doctor would be the one to give a diagnosis.

“We’re going to the doctor right now to have you checked. I won’t leave until I know you’re okay.”

“It’s nothing, something must have disagreed with me.”

“No, we’re going right now.”

Sara accompanied them to the clinic, and Bruno called Leandro to let him know they would be leaving later.

In the doctor’s office, they crossed paths with Shelsy, who was leaving. She walked past them, lowering her head and avoiding eye contact.

“What a strange girl,” Nicole exclaimed, noticing how Shelsy practically fled from them.

“Yes, she’s strange,” Bruno replied.

The doctor insisted on conducting some quick tests on Nicole to rule out any issues. They were given a room where they could wait while she rested, as she was feeling tired.

A couple of hours later, the doctor entered the room.

“I have the results. Congratulations, the lady is pregnant,” the doctor announced.

Bruno turned to look at Nicole, happy with the news. She didn’t know how to react. It was a big surprise.

“Just remember that the lady needs to take care and be cautious. She has a mild case of anemia, and after what happened with the previous baby, this pregnancy will be high-risk. She should have waited a bit longer before getting pregnant again.”

“The previous baby?” Nicole turned to look at the doctor and then at Bruno, seeking an answer to her question.

Seeing that she had also forgotten those memories, the doctor decided to leave the room so that Bruno could talk to her.

“Please sit down. I’ll tell you what happened, but please promise me you’ll try to stay calm.” She nodded, and he sat in front of her, holding her hand before he began to speak.

“Months before Santi’s disappearance, you were pregnant. We were filled with excitement, decorating the house we live in now, wanting everything to be perfect to welcome our baby.”

“Our baby? Would it have been a girl?” Nicole asked.

“We didn’t know yet. I had a dream where I saw her, so I always said it would be a beautiful girl. You insisted on continuing to work with me at the office. One day, you went up to the file room to get some documents I needed for a meeting. A girl who worked with us intentionally spread oil on the stairs. As you were leaving the file room, you slipped and that day, we lost our baby.” Bruno couldn’t help but cry as he recalled what happened. Nicole started crying uncontrollably, feeling a terrible pain inside her that she couldn’t explain.

“You have to stay calm, our baby needs you. I won’t travel. I’ll talk to Leandro. I can’t and don’t want to leave you alone.”

Later, they returned home, and Sara was overjoyed by the news. She would take care of Nicole to ensure everything went well.

Leandro arrived a little later, thrilled for the couple. He pledged to find Santi and wouldn’t return until he did. He would hire the best investigators in the world.

“I appreciate what you’re doing. I don’t want to leave Nicole alone,” Bruno expressed his gratitude.

“I understand perfectly. I would do the same if I were in the same situation,” Leandro replied, unaware that he actually was in the same situation. Shelsy was a few weeks pregnant, but she didn’t dare tell him. She was afraid he would be upset and push her away, unaware that this news had the power to make him the happiest man on Earth.

Unaware of his impending fatherhood, Leandro embarked on his journey to find Santi. He had no idea where Sergio was, and he didn’t care. All he wanted was to keep him away from Nicole and the baby.

Meanwhile, Shelsy stayed alone at Leandro’s house. She loved him, and despite thinking he would be upset, she was happy to carry a part of him within her.

Bruno made his way to his study, opened one of the cabinets, and took out several books. They were books about the gestation process and newborn baby care that he had purchased before.

At night, Nicole watched as he put on his glasses and became engrossed in his reading.

“What are you reading?” she asked.

“This is a book that shows the step-by-step process of gestation from conception,” he replied with a smile.

“Ah, I see. For me, it feels like my first pregnancy. I’m really nervous, not knowing what will happen.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be by your side. Together, we’ll experience this beautiful process as our baby grows in your womb.” He approached her and kissed her belly.

He approached the bedside table and took his wallet, retrieving the ultrasound photo of the baby that Nicole had lost.

“I’ve kept this ultrasound of our baby,” he said.

Nicole took it, unable to hold back her tears as she imagined what their baby would have been like. Whom would they resemble? How big would they be by now?

Bruno took her chin and gave her a tender kiss.