Chapter 169

Silvia The drive to the Lawson estate stretched on forever, dead quiet except for the hum of tires on pavement. By the time we pulled up around 7:30, twilight was settling in, making the massive property look like something out of a gothic novel. Our SUV rolled to a stop in front of those intimidating iron gates. I looked down at the white lilies in my lap, second-guessing myself for the tenth time. Too formal? Too funeral-like? But showing up empty-handed to see my biological father seemed wrong somehow. I'd spotted them at a tiny flower shop near the hospital and grabbed them on impulse. “No backing out now."I muttered under my breath, adjusting my sweater. Matteo got out first, all business as he opened my door. The evening air hit me with just enough chill to make me shiver slightly. "Young miss!" A deep voice boomed from the gatehouse—accent thick as molasses, face immediately recognizable. The guard from my first visit stood there. "Pedri," I said, watching him visibly relax when