Page 28 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“ W hose car is that?” Rose asked, eyeing the dark sedan parked in Bruno’s driveway, hoping her suspicions were wrong.

Balancing two foil-covered pans on one arm and a bag filled with items for the baby in the other, Benicio replied, “If I had to guess, I would say Valentina’s. Bruno warned me she might be here.”

“Warned” was the right word, and Rose’s stomach tightened with dread.

She had looked forward to spending time with her daughter-in-law, son, and their new baby boy, but Valentina had already arrived.

She was Benicio’s first wife and the mother of his three boys—now men—Bruno, Thiago, and Ignacio—whom Rose had come to love as her own when she married their father.

Despite the wonderful relationship she had with her stepsons, the few times she’d met Valentina over the years, the other woman never hid how much she disliked Rose.

“Are you going to be all right?” Benicio asked, watching her closely.

“I’ll be fine. I’d walk through fire to see my grandchild.”

They had originally seen their grandson when he was first born at the hospital. That had been a short visit, and she looked forward to spending more time with him tonight.

She balanced a basket of fresh vegetables against her hip and led the way into the house.

As soon as they entered, she heard voices in the kitchen and went in that direction, immediately encountering Bruno and his mother. Mother and son stopped talking as soon as they entered.

“Good evening,” Rose said in a bright voice.

“What is all this?” Bruno asked. He approached and took the basket from Rose.

“A little something to get you through the next couple of days. Fresh vegetables from the garden. I also cooked a few meals so you wouldn’t have to worry about that while you’re getting settled with the baby.”

“I told her you don’t need this food, but did she listen to me? No.” Benicio placed the containers on the island.

“And I told him that even chefs need a break, especially when they have a newborn,” Rose said.

Bruno pulled her into a warm hug. “Thank you, I appreciate you going to so much trouble. We appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, my dear.” Rose patted his back.

“How quaint of you to bring food,” Valentina said, a thin smile curving her lips. “I suppose if I had nothing to do all day, I could do the same—cook for a man who is a Michelin-starred chef.”

Tension heightened in the room.

Rose clasped her hands in front of her. “Hello, Valentina.”

“Rose.”

A glass of white wine pinched between her manicured fingers, Valentina looked like she had just stepped out of a salon.

The former actress’s glossy black hair tumbled past her shoulders and was held out of her face with sunglasses perched on her head.

She wore cream slacks, a silk blouse, and a light cashmere sweater tied over her shoulders.

Elegant and posh, she made Rose feel severely underdressed in her comfortable jeans and simple gray shirt, and decidedly frumpy with all the gray streaking through her hair.

Bruno shot his mother a look and picked up the food. “Are you ready to see the baby?” he asked, placing the container inside his stainless steel refrigerator.

“That’s why we’re here,” Benicio said, stepping closer to Rose and placing a comforting hand at the base of her spine, which she appreciated.

She knew better than to let Valentina get under her skin, but somehow she always managed to do so.

“Follow me,” Bruno said.

They moved into the living room, where Marissa was sitting on the sofa holding her son in her arms. Her russet-brown skin was makeup-free, and her hair pulled back into a neat bun. Though she appeared put together, Rose saw the lines of strain around her mouth.

“Oh my goodness, look at his little face and those full cheeks.” She sat next to her daughter-in-law and rubbed her back. “How are you?”

“Tired. Happy. Excited. A lot of emotions at once.”

Marissa was not close with her parents, so Rose had been as involved as possible without overstepping her bounds. This was Marissa’s second child, but she had wanted her daughter-in-law to know she was available for support if needed.

She laughed. “It doesn’t get any easier, does it?”

“No, but I can’t wait to see the personality my new little guy has,” Marissa said, gazing down at her son.

“Before you arrived, Bruno was about to explain the name they have chosen—Liam Manuel Santana.” Valentina sat in an armchair and crossed her legs.

Bruno remained standing. “Marissa has always liked the name Liam, and we added Manuel for my father’s father.”

“He would be honored if he were alive,” Benicio said with a wistful smile.

“I was surprised by the choice. Liam. It is a very anglophone name, no?” Valentina’s eyes landed on each person in the room.

Marissa glanced at Bruno, shifting uncomfortably on the chair as she rocked the baby.

“There is nothing wrong with my son’s name,” Bruno said stiffly.

Valentina lazily swirled her wine. “ Sí , but a nice strong name can make the difference in a person’s destiny. I gave all my boys strong names. And look, you are all very successful.”

Rose couldn’t believe Valentina was being so rude as to complain about Liam’s name. “I like the name Liam,” she said.

Valentina shot her a scathing look. “You would.”

“That is enough, Valentina,” Benicio snapped.

Her head whipped in his direction. “Of course you defend her. This woman has inserted herself into our family?—”

“Inserted?” Bruno interjected, his face turning thunderously dark with fury. “She raised us.”

Valentina looked as if she’d been slapped, red brightening the crests of her cheeks. “I knew it was a mistake to come here. I simply wanted to be supportive and see my first grandchild, but of course, I have to put up with the insulting comparisons between me and this… this woman!”

Benicio’s jaw tightened. “This woman was my wife, and she helped me raise our sons.”

Her gaze fixed on Rose, like a hawk sizing up a rabbit. “Ah yes, she was perfect. Some of us worked hard for our wealth, others married into it.”

Marissa gasped quietly.

“Enough, Valentina. Rosa is a good woman, and if you took the time to get to know her?—”

“Rosa this, Rosa that. You are pathetic. That is not even her name. Her name is Rose, for God’s sake!”

“Mother, stop this now!”

“I will not stop!” Valentina’s voice rose louder with a cutting edge.

“Why is she here? I am your mother! She knew I would be here. Why can’t I have a few moments alone with my grandchild before she inserts herself into our family business?

Why does everyone act as if she is so perfect? The perfect wife. The perfect mother.”

“Because she is!” Benicio thundered, surging to his feet.

“You sent the boys to live with me, and I met Rosa, and we built a life together. She raised them. When she discovered Bruno’s love of cooking, she encouraged his interest and made sure he spent time in the kitchen with her.

She taught him how to grow his own vegetables. ”

“Yet your perfect little wife divorced you, didn’t she?” Valentina said with spiteful malice.

“Mother—”

“Don’t you dare take her side against me!” Valentina yelled. “I am your mother. You will not treat me like I am the devil, and she is a saint!”

Liam let out a startled cry, and Marissa cradled him closer, rocking him back and forth.

The argument became incomprehensible as Bruno, Benicio, and Valentina lapsed into Spanish.

The baby continued to cry, and Marissa’s hands shook as she tried soothing him.

Liam’s face turned red and scrunched as he wailed his unhappiness, completely ignoring Marissa as she tried her best to calm him with whispered words.

Rose shot to her feet. “Enough!”

Everyone turned to look at her as the baby’s cries continued to pierce the air.

“Oh good, she’s leaving,” Valentina said.

Rose spoke in a firm voice and elevated her normally soft tone to be heard above the baby’s cries. “No, Valentina, I’m not leaving. You are.”

The room went utterly still. Liam quieted to soft hiccupping sobs, as if he understood a monumental shift was taking place.

Valentina blinked, a stunned expression on her face. “Excuse me?” she said, her voice filled with incredulity.

Resting her hands on her hips, Rose met her gaze calmly.

“All that talk, but you have a hotel room in downtown Atlanta because, let’s be honest, you’re not here to help Marissa and Bruno.

I don’t know why you’re here, but I do know they don’t need your drama.

Marissa has a new baby and needs rest and peace.

Bruno is a new father and needs guidance and help so he can support his wife. Liam needs a happy, comfortable home.”

Valentina’s hand balled into a fist. “Are you saying they can’t have those things if I am here?”

Rose drew in a steady breath, keeping her voice quiet and suppressing the anger threatening to spill from inside her. She had never wanted to put her hands around a person’s neck more than she did right then.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Valentina’s mouth fell open, and she clutched her chest in a dramatic display of disbelief. “Who do you think you are?”

“Rose Santana. Mama Rosa. And I don’t care if you like me, Valentina, but what you won’t do—what I will not allow you to do—is upset my son and my daughter-in-law during what should be one of the happiest times of their lives.”

Rose took a step closer, her gaze unwavering. “No more insults. No more drama. If you can’t adhere to those rules, you should leave. Right now.”

Suffocating silence followed.

Valentina looked around the room. No one spoke up for her. No one defended her.

Her chin lifted. “I see,” she said coldly, carefully placing her glass of wine on a nearby table. “I know when I’m not wanted.” She snatched up her purse and stormed out.

After a moment’s hesitation, Bruno went after her.

Rose exhaled a slow breath and reclaimed her seat beside Marissa.

Her daughter-in-law blinked back tears. “Thank you. She’s… a lot.”

Rose patted her knee. “I know, but don’t worry. We’ve got you.”

She felt Benicio’s gaze on her and looked up to see him watching her with an expression she couldn’t read. Pride, perhaps—or something much deeper.

When Bruno returned a few minutes later, Rose was cradling Liam in her arms.

“She’s gone,” he said, sounding weary.

“It’s for the best,” Benicio said.

Bruno nodded. “I’m sorry any of this happened. Are you okay, querida ?” He dropped into a crouch beside his wife and lifted her hand to his lips.

“I’m fine. Though when you said your mother was dramatic, I didn’t know you meant dramatic .”

They both laughed, and Marissa leaned in, placing a soft kiss on Bruno’s lips, as if to reiterate that she was okay.

“You should take a nap. Sleep while the baby is sleeping, remember? And Theo is coming home tomorrow, which means we’ll be busier.”

Marissa looked at Rose, uncertain.

“He’s right. Take advantage while we’re here to get a few hours of sleep. I don’t mind.”

Marissa’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank you. I’ll take two hours, max.”

“Go,” Rose said, shooing her with one hand.

Bruno helped Marissa to her feet. “I’ll be right back,” he said.

“Don’t rush. Take a nap too, if you like,” Rose said.

When they were gone, Benicio came to sit beside Rose. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, and then he kissed her cheek.

“What was that for?” she asked.

“You were magnificent.”

Rose’s lips curved up at the corners, and she shifted her gaze to look at the baby in her arms. “I wasn’t trying to be. I was just protecting my family.”