“An heir…?” Vincenzo breathed, his eyes fixed on his father, unable to believe what he’d just heard.

"Si, figlio mio," (Yes, my son,) Vincenzo’s father said. "Lo sai che non divento più giovane. Voglio tenere in braccio il mio erede prima di morire." (You know I'm not getting younger. I want to hold my grandchild and your heir before I die.)

Vincenzo gently placed his hand over his father's frail hand on his shoulder. "Papà, non morirai." (Papa, you won't die.)

A soft, raspy ...