CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE – A FALSE ALARM

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when Rebecca suddenly doubled over, clutching her belly. "Luca!" she called out, her voice tinged with panic. Luca, who had been reviewing some business documents in his study, came running. "What's wrong, amore?" "I think... I think it's time," Rebecca gasped, her face contorted in pain. Luca's eyes widened. "But it's too early! We still have three weeks!" "Tell that to your daughter," Rebecca grunted. "She seems to have inherited your impatience." In an instant, Luca sprang into action. "Bruno!" he bellowed. "Code Red! This is not a drill!" The house erupted into chaos. Men in suits appeared from seemingly nowhere, scrambling to execute the elaborate birth plan Luca had devised. "Get the go-bag!" Luca ordered as he helped Rebecca to her feet. "And call Dr. Rossi!" Within minutes, a convoy of black SUVs was tearing through the streets of Florence, sirens blaring. Luca sat in the back of the lead car with Rebecca, holding her hand tightly. "How