Free A New Life by Lucy Appadoo

supporting us. I never would've thought.” Angela said.
                  “And I'm sorry too,” Marco said. “But he'd been a friend to us and helping us over the years when we needed his help. We never realised he was sick like this.”
                  “These kinds of people are skilled at wearing a mask and fooling people. I'm sure he still cared about you guys. He just needs help,” Valeria said.
                  “Anyway, from now on, we'll believe whatever you tell us,” Angela said.
                  “I could lie,” Valeria said.
                  Angela and Marco both laughed.
     
                  Two weeks passed when Roberto and Valeria were returning from dinner at a local restaurant. It was the second time in three days they had gone out as a couple. Roberto wished to court her, and Valeria had agreed. As they got to know each other after sharing the traumatic situation with Luca, feelings had started to develop between them, which caught them both by surprise.
                  When they arrived home, they entered the bedroom. Roberto stared at Valeria as he pulled her close to him, and stroked her arm. Gently, he kissed her on the lips and she was giddy with emotion.
                  “I love you, Valeria.”
                  “I love you too, Roberto.”
                  He pulled her towards the bed. “Why don't I show you how much I love you.”
                  “I'd like that,” Valeria responded.
                  Gently and slowly, he undressed her and himself. Valeria could barely breathe and told Roberto to go slow.
                  “I'm sorry, Roberto.”
                  “It's okay. Just relax and we'll go at your pace.” He kissed her gently again, and then stroked her cheek. Valeria suddenly felt things she'd never felt before. She allowed Roberto to take the lead as he stroked her in all the right places. She was becoming aroused, and they eventually made love. Valeria experienced some pain but there was mostly pleasure, with the certainty that she loved Roberto.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
A Walk to the Other Side
     
     
    Nine months later Valeria had a baby girl named Maria. She was named after Roberto's mother. The hospital sent her home two days after the birth, and she’d felt fine at the time. She’d had a difficult pregnancy with labour lasting almost twenty-four hours. She’d never experienced such pain but the reward was worth it.
                  A few days after arriving from the hospital, Valeria was lying in bed with Roberto, who was sleeping. Maria slept soundly in her bassinette. Valeria was lying awake in bed thinking about her pregnancy and how she wasn't ready to be a mother at 19 years of age. She hadn't had her business for long and wanted to settle in a new country. Her English was improving every day, and she was grateful that the language would help with her career. She had been shocked at the news of her pregnancy when she was tested at the local clinic. Roberto had encouraged her, giving her the confidence she needed to be a new mother, but the self-doubt lingered. However, with help from Roberto, Angela, Marco and her new friends, Valeria slowly came to terms with the pregnancy. Then after Maria's birth, she felt such a surge of joy and love that no amount of words could ever describe. She realised that love was all she needed to raise her daughter, and that she would be fine. She had all the required domestic skills. She was not alone.
                  As Valeria felt warmed by her memories, she suddenly felt sick in the stomach. The stabbing pain caused her to moan and she pressed hard on her temple. Then her head was throbbing. Eventually, Roberto stirred and was quickly wide awake.
                  “What's wrong?” Roberto