Vanessa's heart skipped a beat as she opened the door to find Riccardo standing there, holding her kids' hands. She felt a flutter in her chest, but quickly pushed it aside. She didn't want to show him how he still affected her. She stood up straight, trying to look calm, and forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Vanessa's hands gripped the door handle tightly, hiding her trembling. She didn't want to let him see how nervous he made her.

For a moment, she thought that her eyes were playing a trick on her.

"Mummy!" But hearing her kids giggling voices, convinced her that it was real.

She ignored...