He Thought I Was a Joke? I Hid the Heir to His Mafia Empire Chapter 12

He Thought I Was a Joke? I Hid the Heir to His Mafia Empire Chapter 12

I woke up the next morning covered with a soft blanket. A thermal food container rested on the nightstand. Opening it revealed warm creamy oatmeal porridge. 

Glancing toward the doorway, no one remained. He had visited earlier. Mixed emotions stirred inside me. I sipped the porridge slowly, warmth filling my stomach yet leaving my heart hollow. 

“Mommy…” A faint childish voice sounded behind. 

1. me. 

My body stiffened abruptly, nearly dropping the bowl. I spun around swiftly. Estelle stared back 

with bright alert eyes, identical in appearance to 

Luca’s gaze yet clear and innocent now. 

“Estelle! You’re awake!” I rushed forward, tears 

overflowing instantly. 

“Don’t cry, Mommy.” She tried wiping my tears with 

weak small hands. 

“I won’t cry anymore.” I held her delicate hand 

tightly, smiling through tears. 

The ward door opened suddenly as Luca stepped 

inside. He wore fresh casual dark gray attire, 

neatly styled hair, though bloodshot eyes betrayed 

his sleepless exhaustion. 

Carrying several shopping bags, he froze. 

completely upon seeing conscious Estelle. Their 

gazes locked. His eyes shone with overwhelming 

joy and nervous uncertainty, while hers held pure. 

curious wonder. 

“Mommy, who is this gentleman?” Estelle 

whispered softly. 

The unfamiliar title visibly tensed Luca’s posture. I 

steadied my racing heartbeat and guided Estelle’s 

hand toward the tall man. 

“Estelle, this is not just a gentleman.” I spoke deliberately and clearly. “This is your father.” 

The weighty words struck Luca profoundly. His grip tightened firmly around the shopping bags, standing rooted motionless in the doorway. 

Estelle blinked large curious eyes and tilted her head observing him carefully. 

“Father?” She repeated quietly. “I never had a 

father before.” 

Innocent childhood words carried sharp hurt. 

Luca’s shoulders slumped visibly. He attempted 

stepping forward yet felt heavy invisible restraints 

holding him back. 

“Darling,” I explained gently, “Daddy traveled far 

away on extended business trips long ago. He has 

finally returned home now.” 

The gentlest comforting explanation I could offer. 

Estelle nodded vaguely, never shifting her curious 

gaze from Luca. “Why do you look sad, Daddy?” 

Luca’s Adam’s apple bobbed repeatedly, unable to 

form coherent speech. He strode forward hastily, 

set down the bags heavily, then abruptly rushed 

outside again. 

I stared in astonishment. Estelle nestled fearfully into my embrace. 

“Does Daddy dislike me?” 

“Absolutely not, sweetie.” I comforted her amid 

inner turmoil. “He simply feels extremely 

emotional right now.” 

Luca returned minutes later, eyes red–rimmed as if he splashed cold water on his face, droplets still clinging to his skin. He sat cautiously beside the hospital bed, movements awkward and clumsy like an inexperienced young lover. 

“Estelle.” His voice remained rough and strained. 

“Yes.” She responded softly. 

Long awkward silence followed. Watching the eloquent powerful businessman struggle with simple conversation filled my heart with. 

complicated feelings. 

He opened the shopping bags and took out a 

massive Lego castle set. “Do you like this?” 

Estelle’s eyes lit up with delight. “I love it!” 

“I will build it for you.” He began unpacking. components immediately. Clearly unfamiliar with 

assembly toys, he misaligned the first piece 

despite studying detailed instructions carefully. 

Estelle giggled amusedly watching his clumsy attempts. “Daddy, you are quite clumsy.” 

Luca’s face flushed bright red. A faint smile curved my lips. Her cheerful laughter gradually eased the tense ward atmosphere. 

Midday financial news broadcasted on wall television interrupted the moment. 

“Breaking business report: Castellano Group stocks plummeted sharply at opening bell today. Multiple real estate projects suspended due to serious regulatory violations. Senior management personnel taken into official custody. Industry sources confirm the devastating crisis stems from comprehensive hostile takeover tactics initiated by Falcone Group…” 

Watching Elena’s father surrounded aggressively by reporters, I felt no satisfaction, only indifferent detachment. Luca paused briefly assembling the castle then resumed work silently. He never spoke openly yet his decisive actions spoke volumes of his resolve defending our family. 

Nico delivered official documents during the afternoon. “Don Falcone, numerous intermediaries 

petition on behalf of the Castellano family 

requesting urgent private meetings.” 

“Decline all requests.” Luca replied without lifting 

his head. 

Nico acknowledged orders and withdrew. News 

coverage continued detailing the rival clan’s devastating collapse while Luca struggled 

earnestly constructing Lego pieces under Estelle’s 

gentle guidance. 

“Daddy, this section is assembled incorrectly.” She 

pointed toward instructions softly. 

“I see my mistake now.” He disassembled and 

reconstructed carefully. 

Luca stayed overnight at the hospital instead of 

returning home. I offered the accompanying rest bed yet he insisted finishing pending work tasks. Awakening thirsty in midnight hours, I glimpsed his tall silhouette guarding the corridor bench through narrow door gaps. I suppressed surging heartfelt emotion behind closed lips.