The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 163: Daughter

Chapter 163: Daughter

Remo stepped outside the hospital room, his heart heavy with concern for his brother. Matteo sat on a bench nearby, lost in a haze of his own thoughts. His eyes were distant, his shoulders slumped with the weight of his emotions.

"Hey," Remo said softly, taking a seat beside Matteo. "How are you holding up?"

Matteo didn’t respond at first, his gaze fixed on some distant point in the horizon. Then, slowly, he turned to look at Remo, his eyes clouded with sadness.

"I don’t know, Remo," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I’ve failed them both."

Remo placed a reassuring hand on Matteo’s shoulder, offering him what little comfort he could. "You haven’t failed anyone, Matteo," he said firmly. "Stella needs you now more than ever, and so does your daughter."

Matteo shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "How can you say that, Remo? Look at me," he gestured to himself, his voice filled with self-loathing. "I couldn’t protect them. I couldn’t even be there for them when they needed me the most."

Remo’s heart broke at the sight of his brother’s anguish. He knew that Matteo blamed himself for what had happened, but he also knew that it wasn’t his fault. How can you protect your pregnant wife in labor?

"You can’t blame yourself for what happened, Matteo," Remo said gently, his voice filled with empathy. "Sometimes, life throws us curveballs that we can’t control. All we can do is face them head-on and do our best to support the ones we love."

Matteo looked at Remo, his eyes searching for reassurance. "But what if I’m not strong enough, Remo?" he whispered, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

Remo met his brother’s gaze with unwavering determination. "Then I’ll be strong enough for both of us," he vowed, his voice filled with conviction. "We’ll get through this together, Matteo. I promise."

Matteo nodded, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. "Together," he echoed softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

As Matteo rose to his feet, Remo offered him a supportive smile. "I’ll be right here with you," he promised, his voice filled with unwavering support.

Matteo stood outside Stella’s hospital room, his heart pounding in his chest. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out to grasp the door handle, the weight of his guilt and fear bearing down on him like a leaden weight.

He took a deep breath, trying to steel himself for what lay ahead. But no amount of preparation could quell the nervous fluttering in his stomach as he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Stella lay in the hospital bed, her eyes closed as she rested, her face pale and drawn with exhaustion. Matteo’s heart clenched at the sight of her, a surge of guilt washing over him at the thought of what she had been through.

He approached the bed slowly, his footsteps hesitant as he tried to gather his thoughts. What could he possibly say to her after everything that had happened?

"Stella," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It’s me, Matteo."

Stella stirred at the sound of his voice, her eyes fluttering open as she turned to look at him. There was a flicker of surprise in her gaze, quickly replaced by a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"Matteo," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. "You’re here."

Matteo nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from her. "I’m here," he confirmed, his voice thick with emotion.

Stella reached out to take his hand, her touch warm and comforting. "I’ve missed you," she admitted softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Matteo’s heart clenched at her words, a lump forming in his throat. How could he have stayed away from her for so long, knowing that she needed him now more than ever?

"I’m sorry, Stella," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I should have been here with you, every step of the way."

Stella squeezed his hand gently, her gaze softening with forgiveness. "I know," she murmured, her voice filled with love. "But you’re here now, and that’s all that matters."

Matteo’s eyes welled with tears as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Stella," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

Stella smiled, her heart swelling with love for the man who stood by her side. "I love you too, Matteo," she replied, her voice filled with warmth.

As Matteo sat by Stella’s bedside, lost in his own thoughts, a gentle knock on the door interrupted the heavy silence of the hospital room. He looked up, his heart racing with anticipation, as a nurse entered the room, cradling a tiny bundle in her arms.

"I thought you might want to see your daughter," the nurse said kindly, her eyes soft with understanding.

Matteo’s breath caught in his throat as he laid eyes on the precious little bundle wrapped snugly in a blanket. His daughter. Their daughter. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he reached out to gently cradle her in his arms.

Stella’s eyes sparkled with tears as she watched Matteo hold their baby girl for the first time. "She’s beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and wonder.

Matteo’s heart swelled with love as he gazed down at their daughter, his fingers gently brushing against her delicate skin. She was perfect, a tiny miracle in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty.

"She’s got your eyes," Matteo murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he looked up at Stella. "And your strength."

Stella reached out to touch their daughter’s tiny fingers, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude. "And she’s got your heart," she replied, her voice soft but filled with conviction.

Matteo looked up from their daughter, a smile spreading across his face as he caught sight of Abby and Remo standing in the doorway, watching the tender scene unfold with tears in their eyes. He waved them over, his heart bursting with pride as he held up their daughter for them to see.

"Come meet your niece," he called out, his voice filled with joy and excitement.

Abby’s eyes lit up with delight as she hurried over to Matteo’s side, her hand clasped tightly in Remo’s. Remo’s heart swelled with emotion as he took in the sight of their newborn niece, a tiny bundle of perfection nestled in Matteo’s arms.

"She’s beautiful," Abby breathed, her voice filled with wonder as she reached out to gently stroke the baby’s cheek. "Absolutely perfect."