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“Never seen my dad so happy,” Trino’s voice gets hoarse. “Whenever you were around, Capri.”

“Whenever we were together, you mean.” Tears leak out of me.

“I miss him. Wish our son could’ve known him.”

My heart cracks in half.

Nothing but a yelp escapes me as I wrap both my arms around him. My sobs are silent. Even though they’re far from perfect men, I know Trino is strong because of his father. And that strength to protect his family can’t be bought anywhere else.

I want to tell Trino all of that, but I’m afraid all that would come out is a muffled cry. So I bury my face in his nook and tell him in a different way.

We just sit there holding one another in our perfect little dark life, as his tears wet the gift.

“I’m a better man because of you, Pop.” Trino sniffs, holding tightly onto the album edges. “You gave me the best gift of all before you left us.” He squeezes my hand. “Thank you.”

More dark ties to the Valentino-Rigiano family await you...