Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

“Papa.”

She turned to face Luca when she heard his voice.

She had expected to see Luca with his father, sort of bracing herself to meet the man who hadn’t wanted her in his son’s life. What she hadn’t expected was that he’d be alone and staring directly at the man beside her.

The man with the cane.

The man she’d just spent the last few minutes chatting with.

Her breath caught as realization finally settled in.

“Oh, you’re Luca’s father.”

Nick arched one amused brow at her. “You didn’t know? Does my son not take after his old man?”

Sutton’s face flushed.

“No. I didn’t know.”

She turned fully toward him now, awkwardly rising from the bench. “I… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

Nick waved a hand easily, still seated. “Don’t be silly. You were kind, and you should never be embarrassed about being kind.”

He reached for his cane and used it to leverage himself upright. Luca stepped forward quickly, automatically steadying him with a light touch, one hand on his father’s elbow.

Nick shook his head but allowed it.

“I told her I’d had surgery. Didn’t say who I was,” Nick said, glancing toward his son. “Your woman is bossy, Luca. I would watch that.”

“She scolded you,” Luca said, shooting Sutton a teasing glance.

Nick chuckled. “She did. Little fire in her, this one.”

Sutton tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “You were reaching for your cane. I wasn’t going to just stand around and let you fall on your face.” She hadn’t even known Luca’s father was in the hospital. When the hell had that happened? Wait until she got Luca alone.

held back a smile.

it didn’t matter to you that you didn’t know me. That is a

was a pause. Then Nick reached for her hand and took it

are very good to people,” he said

Sutton’s chest at the

a beat longer, then added with a small sigh, “And I’m sorry I judged you without knowing. Or rather, I judged what I thought you

tingled at the words. She hadn’t expected

a heartbeat, That means

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Chapter 144

quietly nearby, watching the moment unfold between them. She could see he was happy

just tolerated Sutton. He respected her. He saw her kindness without pedigree or titles,

was more than Luca

Enough rebellion for one day. only cleared for short

take you back,” Luca offered

eyebrow. “Now you’re acting like a

be in shock,” Luca

his way down the hall. She walked with them slowly, lingering as they turned toward the wing that housed Nick’s

older nurse at the nurse’s station spotted them and

to let us know, Mr. De

party.”

something in Italian under his

walk around on your own. I was

the week,” Luca muttered as he crouched slightly to

followed alongside them for a step. “I was not alone… My future daughter–in–law had me under control,” Nick murmured jokingly. “I was worried she was going to crack the whip. A

Sutton chuckled. “Behave yourself.”

meet my

his room and under the nurse’s watchful eye, Luca returned to Sutton, falling into step beside

and helped her lower onto the bed. He set her water bottle out, readjusted

the visitor chair close, turned it toward

whispered into the quiet:

nodded, his voice low. “He’s lucky. Very. But

let her head rest against the pillow, exhaustion tugging at her again. She wouldn’t say it out loud, but

realized.