Gianni took a deep breath before dropping the news. "Your mother, Caterina, had another son."
The words hung in the air of the sitting room.
Nico didn't move. He just stood by the stone fireplace; his shoulders were tense and his gaze was fixed on Gianni. The only sound in the room was the soft crackle of burning paper in the hearth.
"Say that again," Nico said in a very low, firm voice.
Gianni did not flinch, though his thin fingers tightened over the handle of his briefcase. "Caterina had a second son, Don Nico. Your half-brother. He is fourteen years old."
Mara looked from Gianni to Aunt Rosa. The older woman's gaze was fixed on the floorboards, her face lined with an ancient, unbearable sorrow that spoke louder than any confirmation.
"Rosa..." Nico whispered, turning slowly toward his aunt. "Tell me this is a mistake. Did you know?"
Rosa let out a long, shuddering breath. She didn't look up immediately, her hands resting over the silver handle of her cane.
