The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 294: Back

Chapter 294: Back

Matteo’s initial panic twisted into shock and disbelief, his sister’s appearance seemingly defying all logic. Beatrix stood before him, draped in a massive poncho that hardly concealed her advanced pregnancy. Remo’s genuine chuckle cut through the tension, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room as the siblings locked eyes.

"What in the world is this?" Matteo’s voice was a low growl, an undercurrent of shock and anger lacing his words.

Remo met his question with a reply twinged with amusement. "Well, dear brother, what do you think it is?"

Beatrix’s features slowly morphed into a potent blend of shock and fury, her words practically dripping with incredulity.

"Where is she?"

Matteo realized resistance was futile. With a fluid gesture, he shifted aside, revealing the bed where Stella lay, still and motionless.

Following closely behind Beatrix was a pair of strikingly exotic men, their looks exuding opulence. Their hurried arrival did little to diminish the air of mystery that clung to them – Damien and Rhys, Beatrix’s boyfriends.

Matteo’s voice dripped with a mix of accusation and disbelief. "You two were with her, and you let her storm out like some deranged woman?"

"Watch your damn mouth," Damien shot back, his hands balling into fists. Rhys, however, managed to restrain him.

"After she heard what happened, she was relentless. She insisted on coming here immediately," Rhys explained, attempting to diffuse the tension.

"What in the world are they doing here?" Matteo demanded, his gaze clashing fiercely with Damien’s in a challenge that hung heavily in the air.

Remo’s voice held a hint of amusement. "Well, think about it, Matteo. They’re her boyfriends. I’m sure any caring boyfriend would accompany his pregnant partner to the hospital, what do you think about that, Stella?"

Matteo’s frustration turned toward Remo. "Are you finding this amusing? Did you know about the pregnancy?"

Remo lounged back in his chair, unfazed by the escalating emotions. "I was as clueless as you, so don’t look at me like that."

Beatrix’s voice, cutting and incisive, silenced their squabbling. "I don’t get it. What about a pregnant girlfriend?"

"Oh, so you mean when I asked Stella if that was the case, while addressing Matteo? Haven’t you figured it out yet? Matteo and Stella are actually dating," Beatrix revealed with a knowing glint in her eyes.

Matteo quickly interjected, his denial laced with a touch of retreat. "That’s not true. We’re not in any sort of relationship."

Beatrix’s voice was a mix of frustration and sternness as she cut through their banter. "Enough, both of you!" Her protective stance softened slightly as Damien and Rhys rushed to her side, their comforting touches soothing her and emphasizing her pregnant state.

"Take it easy, don’t stress yourself," Damien whispered gently, placing a tender kiss on her cheek.

Remo, with his characteristic irreverence, couldn’t resist chiming in. "See, Mat, that’s how you treat a woman you love." His laugh, tinged with mockery, triggered a twitch in Matteo’s jaw, barely containing his impatience.

"You know nothing about love," Matteo retorted with cool defiance, struggling to keep his emotions in check amid the swirling turmoil.

Beatrix’s voice turned serious again, her eyes fixed on Matteo. "Is it true, Mat? Are you and Stella really together?"

With a slow turn of his head, Matteo met her gaze, her eyes filled with hope and curiosity. His admission hung in the air like a fragile secret. "Yes."

Remo couldn’t resist another jab. "That’s quite the revelation. Or is it?"

Matteo’s response was a blend of anger and exasperation. "You’re pushing it, Remo."

Remo chuckled mischievously. "Well, who knows? Maybe I still have a chance, huh?"

"I’ll thwart that chance the moment she opens her eyes," Matteo growled, his teeth clenched tightly together. His gaze locked defensively with Remo’s.

Beatrix’s pleading tone cut through the tension. "You guys, you still haven’t given me any answers."

Matteo turned his attention back to her, his voice steady and resolute. "Stella and I are in a relationship."

Beatrix’s calm facade wavered slightly, a tremor in her voice as Rhys’s hands worked to soothe her. "Since when?"

Matteo’s words tumbled out before he could fully consider them. "After she got shot and had to come live with—" He abruptly halted, realizing he had revealed more than he intended. His palms covered his face as frustration and regret gnawed at him.

"What?!" Beatrix’s voice held a mix of shock and disbelief, her small frame visibly trembling. Damien’s protective instincts flared, his voice a fierce warning over her shoulder.

"If anything happens to her, I’ll fucking kill both of you!" Damien’s words were laced with anger, emphasizing his resolve.

"Relax, she’s tougher than she seems," Remo retorted nonchalantly, waving off Damien’s threat.

Rhys’s scowl deepened, his attention on Remo. "And I’ll personally see to yours if anything happens to her," he warned, his tone a challenge.

Remo met his gaze with a defiant smirk. "Give it your best shot, pretty boy. But remember, I can be just as deadly."

"Enough with the threats," Beatrix interjected, her voice carrying a note of exasperation. "I can’t stand being in a room with all of you at once. If she were awake, I’m sure she’d agree with me."

"She’ll come around, I’m sure of it," Remo reassured them.

Beatrix eyed him suspiciously. "You never struck me as the caring type."

"Me neither," Matteo admitted, a blend of curiosity and jealousy in his tone.

Remo adopted a feigned hurt expression. "Oh, come on you two, I can be sentimental when needed."

Beatrix retorted dryly, "Your current look says otherwise."

"Alright, alright," Remo conceded, "but let’s agree on one thing—I’m serious about Ms. Rossi getting better, and I’ll give it my all to make certain it happens."

Matteo mocked, "Who do you think you are, a god?"

"For Stella, I might be."

Matteo’s irritation was evident. "Now, you’re getting on my nerves."

Beatrix intervened with a chuckle. "Enough, Remo. Don’t let Mat eat you up. Look at his eyes, he’s ready to kill."

Matteo’s furrowed brows lowered over his eyes, the room’s dim light casting sharp shadows on his stiff features.

"You guys are crazy," Rhys commented, his expression devoid of humor.

"I’m surprised you went ahead with Beatrix when you knew it ran in the family," Remo teased.

"Remo!" Beatrix’s tone was thunderous.

"Chill out, sis, it was a joke. By the way, I’m genuinely curious—"

"If you say something stupid, Remo, I swear to God—"

"Nothing like that, just a quick question... who’s the father? You know, since you’re, you know, fucking two dudes?" Silence fell over the room, punctuated only by the distant sounds of bustling medical personnel.

Matteo’s gaze locked onto Remo’s, a mix of vengeance and a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Beatrix chuckled, warning, "You’re so dead after this."

"Welcome home, sis," Matteo’s voice softened, evoking a sentimentality akin to a family reunion.

"It’s good to be back, although not entirely... you two have a lot of explaining to do!" Beatrix’s tone held the weight of a mother scolding her children.