Chapter 1 - The Woman in the Blue Blanket
"""**THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME CUT A PLASTIC ZIP TIE FROM HIS SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER'S WRISTS DURING HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE WAS CAUGHT STEALING MY DIAMONDS,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE WOMAN WHO HAD RAISED HIM WAS CRYING IN FRONT OF TWENTY-FOUR GUESTS.**
""""Don't you dare cut those, Olivia.""""
I froze with the kitchen scissors in my hand.
Mrs. Carter was sitting on a wooden chair beside the dining room entrance.
Her silver hair had fallen loose from its usual bun.
Her black uniform was wrinkled.
And her wrists were bound together with a white plastic zip tie.
The skin beneath it had turned an angry red.
She was seventy years old.
She had worked for the Moretti family for forty-one years.
And I'd never seen her cry before tonight.
""""Olivia.""""
Vanessa Bellini's voice sharpened.
""""I said put those scissors down.""""
I looked at Mrs. Carter.
She was staring at her hands.
""""Please, sweetheart,"""" she whispered. """"Don't lose your job because of me.""""
But the plastic was cutting into her skin.
And something about the way she'd apologized for needing help made my chest ache.
""""I'm sorry, ma'am,"""" I said. """"It's hurting her.""""
Vanessa gave a cold little laugh.
""""Perhaps she should have considered that before stealing from me.""""
Twenty-four guests sat beneath the chandeliers of Luca Moretti's Chicago mansion.
The engagement dinner had been going beautifully until Vanessa ordered two security guards to bring Mrs. Carter into the dining room.
Now everyone was watching.
And Mrs. Carter was trembling.
I slipped one blade of the scissors beneath the plastic.
Then a man's voice interrupted us.
""""Olivia.""""
My heart nearly stopped.
Luca Moretti stood beside the head of the table.
Thirty-nine.
Black suit.
White shirt.
A man whose reputation made powerful people reconsider their words before speaking.
But tonight, he wasn't looking at the scissors.
He was looking at Mrs. Carter.
And the plastic binding her wrists.
""""What is this?""""
Before I could answer, Vanessa stepped forward.
""""Oh, darling, I'm so sorry you had to see this. Mrs. Carter was caught stealing my diamond bracelet. Security found it in her coat pocket.""""
Luca didn't move.
His eyes remained on the elderly woman's hands.
Then he slowly looked at his fiancée.
""""Stealing?""""
Vanessa nodded.
""""Unfortunately. I wanted to handle it discreetly, but she became difficult.""""
Luca looked back at Mrs. Carter.
The woman who had raised him after his mother died.
The woman who had taught him to tie his shoes.
Who had sat beside his hospital bed when he was thirteen and nearly died of pneumonia.
Who still called him """"my boy"""" when nobody else was listening.
And now she was sitting in his dining room with her wrists tied together.
Luca slowly put down his wineglass.
""""Who did this to her?""""
Vanessa's smile faltered.
My name is Olivia Bennett.
I was twenty-six years old and had worked as a housemaid at the Moretti estate for eleven months.
Normally, my responsibilities were simple.
Prepare the guest rooms.
Polish the silver.
Help serve dinner.
And stay out of family matters.
I needed the job.
My mother had recently undergone surgery.
My younger brother was finishing college.
And most of my paycheck disappeared into bills before I ever had a chance to spend it.
Missing another shift wasn't an option.
Vanessa knew that.
She'd reminded me earlier that afternoon.
""""One more mistake, Olivia, and you can look for another employer.""""
So I'd kept my head down.
Until I saw Mrs. Carter sitting in the servants' hallway with her hands tied.
At the head of the dining table, Luca stepped closer.
""""Mrs. Carter.""""
The elderly woman slowly raised her eyes.
""""Yes, my boy?""""
His expression changed.
""""Who tied your hands?""""
She looked toward Vanessa.
Then quickly lowered her eyes.
Luca noticed.
He turned toward the security guards.
""""Daniel.""""
His head of security stepped forward.
""""Yes, boss?""""
""""Who authorized this?""""
Daniel hesitated.
""""Miss Bellini requested that Mrs. Carter be detained until the police arrived.""""
Luca stared at him.
""""Detained?""""
""""Yes, boss.""""
""""With plastic restraints?""""
Daniel looked down.
""""Miss Bellini said she had become uncooperative.""""
Luca slowly turned toward Vanessa.
""""Uncooperative how?""""
Vanessa folded her arms.
""""She refused to admit she'd stolen my bracelet.""""
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Luca looked at me.
""""Olivia.""""
My stomach tightened.
""""Yes, Mr. Moretti?""""
""""Cut those off.""""
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
""""Luca, absolutely not. She could try to run.""""
He looked directly at her.
""""She's seventy years old.""""
""""That doesn't mean she isn't a thief.""""
Luca didn't raise his voice.
""""Olivia.""""
I looked up.
""""Yes, sir?""""
""""Please.""""
My hands were trembling as I slipped the scissors beneath the plastic.
One careful cut.
Then another.
The zip tie snapped.
Mrs. Carter immediately pulled her hands against her chest.
There were deep red marks around both wrists.
One had started bleeding.
Luca saw them.
His expression changed.
Not anger.
Something much worse.
Hurt.
He knelt beside her chair.
""""Why didn't you call me?""""
Mrs. Carter's eyes filled.
""""I tried, sweetheart.""""
Luca went still.
""""What?""""
She swallowed.
""""I tried to call you.""""
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
""""For heaven's sake, Luca. She's manipulating you because she knows how much you care about her.""""
Luca didn't look away from Mrs. Carter.
""""What happened to your phone?""""
The elderly woman's chin trembled.
Then she whispered:
""""Miss Vanessa took it.""""
The dining room went quiet.
Luca slowly stood.
""""Vanessa.""""
She gave an uncomfortable laugh.
""""I confiscated it temporarily. She was making accusations and causing unnecessary confusion.""""
""""Accusations about what?""""
Vanessa hesitated.
""""The bracelet, obviously.""""
Luca looked toward the nearest security guard.
""""Bring me the bracelet.""""
Daniel reached into his jacket.
He removed a small transparent evidence pouch.
Inside was a delicate diamond tennis bracelet.
White gold.
Twelve emerald-cut stones.
Luca studied it.
Then frowned.
""""Where did you find this?""""
Daniel answered.
""""In Mrs. Carter's coat pocket, boss.""""
Luca looked toward the elderly woman.
""""Is that your coat?""""
Mrs. Carter nodded.
""""Yes, sweetheart.""""
""""Did you put the bracelet in it?""""
She shook her head.
""""No.""""
Vanessa sighed.
""""Of course she's going to deny it.""""
Luca ignored her.
He examined the bracelet again.
Then looked at Vanessa.
""""When did you notice it was missing?""""
She straightened.
""""At approximately six.""""
""""Where?""""
""""In our bedroom.""""
Luca glanced toward Daniel.
""""And when was it found?""""
""""Six twenty, boss.""""
Luca nodded slowly.
""""Who searched Mrs. Carter?""""
Daniel hesitated.
""""Miss Bellini did.""""
Vanessa's face changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
Luca looked at her.
""""You searched her yourself?""""
""""Of course. It was my bracelet.""""
""""And you found it?""""
""""Yes.""""
""""In her coat pocket?""""
""""Exactly.""""
Luca studied her.
Then asked quietly:
""""Why were you searching her coat?""""
Vanessa stopped smiling.
""""What?""""
""""You said the bracelet disappeared from our bedroom.""""
""""Yes.""""
""""Then why did you immediately search Mrs. Carter's coat?""""
Vanessa gave a nervous laugh.
""""Because I suspected her.""""
""""Why?""""
She glanced toward the guests.
""""Because she's been acting strangely all day.""""
Luca looked at Mrs. Carter.
The elderly woman was still holding her injured wrists.
""""Strangely how?""""
Vanessa folded her arms.
""""Whispering with the kitchen staff. Disappearing into private rooms. Asking questions she has no business asking.""""
Luca remained still.
""""What questions?""""
Vanessa hesitated.
""""Personal questions.""""
""""About what?""""
Her smile tightened.
""""Our wedding.""""
For several seconds, Luca said nothing.
Then he turned toward Mrs. Carter.
""""What did you ask her?""""
The old woman's eyes filled.
She opened her mouth.
But nothing came out.
Luca knelt again.
""""Mrs. Carter, look at me.""""
She slowly raised her eyes.
""""You're not in trouble.""""
Her chin trembled.
""""Are you sure, my boy?""""
He took her hand.
""""Have I ever lied to you?""""
She shook her head.
""""No.""""
""""Then tell me.""""
Mrs. Carter swallowed.
""""I asked her why she wanted me gone before Saturday.""""
Luca went completely still.
""""Before Saturday?""""
The wedding.
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
""""Oh, honestly, Luca. She's making everything sound so dramatic.""""
He looked toward her.
""""Did you ask Mrs. Carter to leave?""""
Vanessa sighed.
""""I suggested retirement. She's seventy, Luca. She shouldn't have to spend the rest of her life working.""""
Luca looked at Mrs. Carter.
""""Did you want to retire?""""
The elderly woman shook her head.
""""No, sweetheart.""""
""""Then why were you being asked to leave?""""
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
""""Because I found something.""""
Vanessa's face went pale.
Luca noticed.
He slowly turned toward her.
""""What did she find?""""
Vanessa laughed.
""""Probably another excuse to interfere with our wedding.""""
But Mrs. Carter was shaking her head.
""""No, my boy.""""
She reached into the pocket of her apron.
Then stopped.
Her expression changed.
She searched the other pocket.
Then the first one again.
Her breathing quickened.
""""It's gone.""""
Luca frowned.
""""What's gone?""""
Mrs. Carter looked toward Vanessa.
And began crying.
""""The envelope.""""
Nobody spoke.
Vanessa lifted her wineglass.
""""What envelope?""""
The old woman stared at her.
""""The one you took from my room.""""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Luca looked between them.
""""Vanessa?""""
She put down her glass.
""""Luca, I have absolutely no idea what she's talking about.""""
Mrs. Carter shook her head.
""""Please don't.""""
Her voice broke.
""""Please don't lie about this.""""
For the first time that evening, the elderly woman sounded angry.
Not frightened.
Angry.
Vanessa folded her arms.
""""Mrs. Carter, I suggest you remember who you're speaking to.""""
Luca immediately turned.
""""She's speaking to me.""""
Vanessa went quiet.
He looked back at the housekeeper.
""""What was in the envelope?""""
Mrs. Carter wiped her eyes.
""""A photograph.""""
Luca frowned.
""""Of what?""""
She looked toward Vanessa.
Then whispered:
""""Of the woman who came to see me yesterday.""""
Vanessa's face drained of color.
Luca slowly stood.
""""What woman?""""
Mrs. Carter hesitated.
Then looked toward me.
""""Olivia, sweetheart.""""
My heart started pounding.
""""Yes, ma'am?""""
""""The blue sewing box.""""
I frowned.
""""What?""""
""""The one in my bedroom wardrobe.""""
I nodded slowly.
""""I know it.""""
She swallowed.
""""Please bring it here.""""
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
""""Absolutely not.""""
Luca turned toward her.
""""Why?""""
""""Because we're in the middle of our engagement dinner. This is humiliating.""""
Luca studied her.
Then looked at me.
""""Olivia, get the box.""""
""""Yes, sir.""""
I hurried upstairs.
Mrs. Carter's bedroom was at the end of the servants' corridor.
A small, comfortable room overlooking the rose garden.
She'd lived there for thirty-two years.
Her sewing box sat on the top shelf of the wardrobe.
Blue painted wood.
A little brass latch.
I carried it downstairs.
When I returned, Luca was standing beside Mrs. Carter.
Vanessa hadn't moved from her chair.
I placed the box on the dining table.
Mrs. Carter slowly reached for it.
Her fingers were still trembling.
She opened the lid.
Inside were sewing needles.
Buttons.
Several spools of thread.
And an old photograph of Luca as a little boy.
But Mrs. Carter wasn't looking at the photograph.
She removed the wooden tray.
Beneath it was a folded piece of paper.
She handed it to Luca.
""""She gave me this yesterday.""""
Luca unfolded it.
There was an address.
A telephone number.
And one sentence written in blue ink.
PLEASE TELL LUCA I NEVER STOPPED LOOKING FOR HIM.
Luca stopped moving.
For several seconds, he stared at the words.
Then slowly looked up.
""""Who wrote this?""""
Mrs. Carter's eyes filled.
""""The woman who came yesterday.""""
""""Who was she?""""
The elderly woman swallowed.
""""She said her name was Eleanor.""""
Vanessa immediately stood.
""""That's enough.""""
Everyone turned toward her.
Her voice had changed.
The sweetness was gone.
""""Luca, this woman is clearly trying to destroy our evening.""""
He looked at her.
""""Sit down.""""
Vanessa froze.
He turned back toward Mrs. Carter.
""""Eleanor who?""""
The old woman pressed her lips together.
Then whispered:
""""Eleanor Hayes.""""
Luca frowned.
The name meant nothing to him.
But Vanessa had gone completely still.
Mrs. Carter noticed.
So did Luca.
He slowly turned toward his fiancée.
""""You know that name.""""
Vanessa shook her head.
""""No.""""
""""Then why do you look frightened?""""
""""I'm not frightened.""""
Luca waited.
""""Vanessa.""""
She looked away.
He turned back toward Mrs. Carter.
""""What did Eleanor Hayes want?""""
The elderly woman's hands began trembling again.
""""She wanted to give you something.""""
""""What?""""
Mrs. Carter looked toward the sewing box.
Then removed a second photograph.
It was old.
The corners had yellowed.
A young woman stood outside a small brick hospital.
She was holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blue blanket.
The baby was barely visible.
But the woman was smiling.
Luca stared at the photograph.
""""Who is she?""""
Mrs. Carter's eyes filled.
""""Eleanor.""""
""""And the baby?""""
She couldn't answer.
Luca studied the photograph.
Then turned it over.
There was a date written on the back.
June 14.
Thirty-nine years earlier.
His birthday.
He stopped breathing.
Slowly, he looked toward Mrs. Carter.
""""Why is this photograph dated the day I was born?""""
The old woman began crying.
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
""""Luca, please. You don't understand.""""
He didn't look at her.
""""Mrs. Carter.""""
She raised her eyes.
""""What is this?""""
Her voice trembled.
""""I promised your father I would never tell you.""""
The dining room became completely silent.
Luca went still.
""""Tell me what?""""
Mrs. Carter wiped her cheeks.
""""Your mother...""""
She stopped.
Luca's expression changed.
""""My mother what?""""
The elderly woman shook her head.
""""The woman who raised you was a wonderful mother.""""
""""I know.""""
""""She loved you more than anything.""""
His jaw tightened.
""""Mrs. Carter, what are you trying to tell me?""""
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
""""But she wasn't the woman who gave birth to you.""""
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Luca stared at her.
The chandeliers hummed softly overhead.
Somewhere in the kitchen, a tray clattered.
But nobody at the dining table seemed to breathe.
Finally, Luca spoke.
""""What?""""
Mrs. Carter reached for his hand.
""""My boy...""""
He slowly pulled back.
""""No.""""
His voice was barely audible.
""""That's impossible.""""
She began crying harder.
""""I know, sweetheart.""""
""""My mother...""""
He swallowed.
""""My mother raised me from the day I was born.""""
Mrs. Carter nodded.
""""Yes.""""
""""She had photographs.""""
""""Yes.""""
""""She told me about the hospital.""""
The old woman's chin trembled.
""""She told you what your father asked her to tell you.""""
Luca stared at her.
Then looked toward the photograph again.
The young woman holding the baby.
June 14.
His birthday.
He slowly turned toward Vanessa.
""""Did you know about this?""""
She shook her head.
""""No.""""
But Mrs. Carter spoke before he could ask another question.
""""She did.""""
Vanessa's face changed.
Luca went completely still.
""""What?""""
The elderly woman looked at Vanessa.
""""That's why she wanted me gone.""""
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
""""Mrs. Carter, stop.""""
But the old woman was crying now.
And for the first time all evening, she didn't seem afraid.
""""Eleanor came here yesterday afternoon.""""
Luca looked at her.
""""How did she find me?""""
Mrs. Carter swallowed.
""""She said she'd been trying for years.""""
""""Why didn't she contact me directly?""""
""""She did.""""
Luca frowned.
""""What?""""
""""She wrote letters.""""
For several seconds, Luca didn't speak.
Then he slowly turned toward Vanessa.
""""Letters?""""
Vanessa looked away.
Mrs. Carter continued.
""""She said she sent them to the estate.""""
Luca's expression hardened.
""""How many?""""
The old woman's eyes filled.
""""Twenty-three.""""
Nobody moved.
Luca stared at her.
""""Twenty-three letters?""""
She nodded.
""""Over the last four years.""""
He looked toward Vanessa.
""""Did you know about these letters?""""
Her lips trembled.
""""Luca, please.""""
""""Did you?""""
She began crying.
""""I was trying to protect you.""""
Luca went completely still.
""""Protect me from what?""""
Vanessa looked down.
""""From someone who wanted to take advantage of you.""""
He stared at her.
""""By telling me she was my mother?""""
Vanessa said nothing.
Luca's voice remained quiet.
""""How did you know about the letters?""""
She swallowed.
""""I saw one.""""
""""When?""""
""""Years ago.""""
He stepped closer.
""""Before we were engaged?""""
Vanessa nodded.
Luca looked toward the table.
At the photograph.
At the note.
At the woman who had raised him.
Then quietly asked:
""""Where are the others?""""
Vanessa's face went pale.
""""What others?""""
""""The letters.""""
She hesitated.
""""I threw them away.""""
For several seconds, Luca didn't move.
Then he asked:
""""All of them?""""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
""""Yes.""""
Mrs. Carter began crying again.
Luca stared at his fiancée.
""""You destroyed twenty-three letters from a woman who claimed to be my mother?""""
Vanessa shook her head.
""""Luca, I didn't know if she was telling the truth.""""
""""Then why didn't you let me decide?""""
She had no answer.
He looked back at Mrs. Carter.
""""Where is Eleanor now?""""
The elderly woman's expression changed.
She swallowed.
""""I don't know, sweetheart.""""
""""What do you mean?""""
""""She told me she was going to meet you today.""""
Luca frowned.
""""Where?""""
""""At the estate.""""
He glanced toward the hallway.
""""Then why didn't she come?""""
Mrs. Carter's eyes filled.
""""She did.""""
The dining room went silent.
Luca slowly looked up.
""""What?""""
The old woman began shaking.
""""She came at four.""""
Luca turned toward Vanessa.
Vanessa had gone completely pale.
""""Where is she?""""
Nobody spoke.
""""Vanessa.""""
She lowered her eyes.
Luca's voice dropped.
""""Where is Eleanor Hayes?""""
Vanessa whispered:
""""I asked her to leave.""""
Mrs. Carter shook her head.
""""No.""""
Everyone turned toward her.
The elderly woman's voice was trembling.
""""That's not what happened.""""
Vanessa stared at her.
""""Be quiet.""""
Luca stepped between them.
""""Mrs. Carter, tell me.""""
She swallowed.
""""Eleanor came to the front entrance with a small suitcase.""""
Luca listened.
""""She said she didn't want money.""""
The old woman's eyes filled.
""""She didn't want the house.""""
""""Then what did she want?""""
Mrs. Carter's voice broke.
""""She wanted to see you once.""""
Luca looked down.
""""Just once?""""
The elderly woman nodded.
""""She said she was getting older. She didn't know how many years she had left.""""
Nobody spoke.
""""She brought the photograph and a little blue blanket.""""
Luca slowly looked up.
""""What blanket?""""
""""The one you were wrapped in when you were born.""""
Vanessa covered her face.
Mrs. Carter continued.
""""She said she'd kept it for thirty-nine years.""""
Luca couldn't speak.
Then Mrs. Carter reached for his hand.
""""But Vanessa told security she was a dangerous woman.""""
Luca went still.
""""What?""""
""""She said Eleanor was trying to extort the family.""""
Vanessa shook her head.
""""I was protecting you.""""
Mrs. Carter looked at her.
""""You told them to take her away.""""
Luca's expression changed.
""""Take her where?""""
Vanessa said nothing.
Mrs. Carter began crying harder.
""""I don't know, sweetheart.""""
Luca immediately reached for his phone.
""""Daniel.""""
His head of security answered.
""""Yes, boss?""""
""""Who removed a woman named Eleanor Hayes from this property at four o'clock?""""
A pause.
""""Boss?""""
""""You heard me.""""
Daniel hesitated.
""""Miss Bellini requested an escort for an unauthorized visitor.""""
Luca closed his eyes.
""""Where did they take her?""""
""""To the front gate, sir.""""
""""Who drove her away?""""
Another pause.
""""She left in a private vehicle.""""
Luca frowned.
""""Whose vehicle?""""
Daniel swallowed.
""""Miss Bellini arranged it.""""
Luca slowly turned toward Vanessa.
""""What car?""""
She shook her head.
""""Luca, please.""""
He ignored her.
""""Daniel, find the driver.""""
""""Yes, boss.""""
""""And bring me every security recording from four o'clock onward.""""
He ended the call.
Then looked toward Mrs. Carter.
""""Why didn't you tell me earlier?""""
Her chin trembled.
""""I tried.""""
Luca stopped.
""""What?""""
""""I called your office.""""
She swallowed.
""""I left a message with your assistant.""""
He frowned.
""""What message?""""
The old woman began crying.
""""I told her a woman had come to see you.""""
Luca looked at her.
""""And?""""
""""She said you were busy.""""
His expression hardened.
""""Mrs. Carter, I would never have been too busy for you.""""
""""I know, sweetheart.""""
She wiped her eyes.
""""That's why I tried to come upstairs.""""
Luca looked toward the marks on her wrists.
Then at Vanessa.
""""What happened when she tried?""""
Vanessa couldn't answer.
Mrs. Carter whispered:
""""She searched my coat.""""
For several seconds, Luca didn't move.
Then he slowly picked up the diamond bracelet.
The one Vanessa had accused Mrs. Carter of stealing.
He looked at his fiancée.
""""You put this in her pocket.""""
Vanessa shook her head.
""""No.""""
Luca stared at her.
""""You framed the woman who raised me so she couldn't tell me about Eleanor.""""
She began crying.
""""Luca...""""
His voice remained calm.
""""Look at me.""""
Vanessa slowly raised her eyes.
""""Did you put the bracelet in her coat?""""
She hesitated.
Then whispered:
""""Yes.""""
The room became completely silent.
Luca closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked toward Mrs. Carter.
The elderly woman was still holding her injured wrists against her chest.
His expression crumpled.
He knelt beside her.
""""I'm sorry.""""
She immediately shook her head.
""""Oh, sweetheart, no.""""
He took her hands gently.
""""I'm so sorry.""""
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
""""You didn't know.""""
His voice broke.
""""You raised me.""""
She nodded.
""""Yes.""""
""""You stayed with me after Mom died.""""
""""Of course.""""
""""You were there when Dad was sick.""""
""""I know, sweetheart.""""
He looked at her injured wrists.
""""And they did this to you in my own home.""""
Mrs. Carter reached forward.
She placed one trembling hand against his cheek.
""""You're still my boy.""""
For a moment, Luca couldn't speak.
Then he leaned forward.
And held her.
The dining room was completely silent.
Vanessa stared at the floor.
I thought the worst was finally over.
I thought Luca would find Eleanor.
That Mrs. Carter would be safe.
That this terrible evening would end with the truth coming out.
But then Daniel called again.
Luca answered immediately.
""""Tell me you found her.""""
There was a pause.
""""Boss, we located the driver.""""
Luca stood.
""""Where is Eleanor Hayes?""""
Daniel hesitated.
""""Sir, the driver says he took her to St. Catherine's Medical Center.""""
Luca frowned.
""""The hospital?""""
""""Yes, boss.""""
""""Why?""""
""""She apparently became unwell during the drive.""""
Luca went completely still.
""""What happened?""""
Daniel swallowed.
""""She was having difficulty breathing.""""
Luca looked toward the photograph.
The young woman holding a baby.
His birthday written on the back.
""""Is she still there?""""
Another pause.
""""Boss, I'm trying to confirm.""""
Luca's jaw tightened.
""""Then confirm it.""""
But Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Instead, Luca heard someone speaking in the background.
A woman.
Then another voice.
Daniel returned to the phone.
""""Boss...""""
""""What?""""
""""The hospital says Eleanor Hayes was admitted at four forty-seven.""""
Luca stopped breathing.
""""And?""""
""""She was carrying a small blue suitcase.""""
His expression changed.
""""Where is it?""""
""""Security has it, sir.""""
Luca looked toward Mrs. Carter.
The elderly woman had started crying again.
""""What about Eleanor?""""
Daniel hesitated.
Then answered quietly.
""""She's in intensive care, boss.""""
For several seconds, Luca couldn't speak.
Then he asked:
""""Is she conscious?""""
""""No, sir.""""
Luca closed his eyes.
""""Get the car.""""
""""Yes, boss.""""
""""And call the hospital. Tell them I'm coming.""""
He ended the call.
Then looked toward Vanessa.
She was standing beside her chair.
Her diamond engagement ring glittered beneath the chandelier.
But Luca wasn't looking at it.
He was looking at her face.
""""You knew she was sick.""""
Vanessa shook her head.
""""No.""""
""""Then why did you send her away in a car instead of calling me?""""
She couldn't answer.
Luca stepped closer.
""""Why didn't you tell me she was my mother?""""
Tears rolled down Vanessa's cheeks.
""""Luca, I thought if you met her, everything would change.""""
He stared at her.
""""What would change?""""
She looked away.
""""Our wedding.""""
For several seconds, Luca said nothing.
Then he quietly asked:
""""Did you really believe I would choose a wedding over meeting my mother?""""
Vanessa broke down.
But Luca had already turned away.
""""Olivia.""""
I stepped forward.
""""Yes, sir?""""
""""Stay with Mrs. Carter.""""
""""Of course.""""
""""Make sure a doctor examines her wrists.""""
""""Yes, sir.""""
He looked toward the elderly woman.
""""I'll come back for you.""""
She nodded through her tears.
""""Go find her, my boy.""""
Luca started toward the doorway.
But Mrs. Carter suddenly called after him.
""""Lu?""""
He stopped.
The childhood nickname made him turn immediately.
""""Yes?""""
She was holding the blue sewing box.
Her hands were trembling.
""""There's something else.""""
Luca frowned.
""""What?""""
Mrs. Carter reached beneath the lining of the box.
And removed a small folded document.
The paper was yellowed.
Its edges were worn.
She held it out.
""""Eleanor asked me to give you this.""""
Luca slowly returned to the table.
""""What is it?""""
Mrs. Carter swallowed.
""""Your original birth certificate.""""
He took it.
Unfolded it.
And stared.
His name was there.
Luca Anthony Moretti.
Date of birth.
June 14.
Mother.
Eleanor Hayes.
But when his eyes moved to the next line, his expression changed completely.
Father.
A name he'd never seen before.
Not Giovanni Moretti.
Not the man who had raised him.
Not the man whose funeral he'd arranged nine years earlier.
Luca read the name again.
Then slowly looked toward Mrs. Carter.
""""Who is this?""""
The elderly woman's eyes filled.
She opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, Vanessa suddenly whispered:
""""Don't.""""
Luca turned toward her.
Her face was white.
For the first time all evening, she looked genuinely terrified.
""""Vanessa?""""
She began shaking her head.
""""Please don't read that name out loud.""""
Luca stared at her.
""""Why?""""
She couldn't answer.
He looked down at the certificate.
Then read the name.
""""Salvatore Bellini.""""
The room became completely silent.
Luca slowly raised his eyes.
""""Bellini?""""
Vanessa gripped the back of her chair.
""""Vanessa...""""
His voice had changed.
""""That's your father's name.""""
She closed her eyes.
Nobody moved.
Luca looked at the certificate again.
Then at the woman he was supposed to marry on Saturday.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Finally, he whispered:
""""Vanessa... who is Salvatore Bellini to me?""""
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She shook her head.
""""Luca, please...""""
He stepped closer.
""""Answer me.""""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
But Mrs. Carter suddenly reached for Luca's hand.
""""My boy...""""
He turned.
The elderly woman's face was crumpling.
""""There's something Eleanor wanted you to know before the wedding.""""
Luca knelt beside her.
""""What?""""
She swallowed.
""""Salvatore Bellini isn't just Vanessa's father.""""
Luca stopped breathing.
Mrs. Carter began crying.
""""He's the man your mother spent thirty-nine years hiding you from.""""
Luca stared at her.
""""Why?""""
She looked toward Vanessa.
Then whispered:
""""Because he told Eleanor that if she ever tried to find you, he would take you away again.""""
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Luca's phone rang.
Daniel.
He answered immediately.
""""What is it?""""
Daniel's voice was shaking.
""""Boss, the hospital just called.""""
Luca gripped the phone.
""""Is Eleanor alive?""""
""""Yes, sir. But she woke up for a moment.""""
Luca closed his eyes.
""""What did she say?""""
Daniel hesitated.
""""She asked whether you received the birth certificate.""""
Luca stared at Vanessa.
""""Tell her I did.""""
Another pause.
""""Boss... there's one more thing.""""
""""What?""""
Daniel swallowed.
""""She said you must not go home tonight.""""
Luca frowned.
""""Why?""""
For several seconds, there was only silence.
Then Daniel whispered:
""""Because the man who took you from her thirty-nine years ago is already inside your house.""""
Luca slowly turned toward the dining room.
Toward the guests.
Toward the men sitting beneath the chandeliers.
And Mrs. Carter suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
Her face had gone completely pale.
She was staring at someone standing near the far doorway.
A tall elderly man.
Silver hair.
Dark suit.
A walking cane with a gold handle.
He had arrived late.
And Vanessa had personally welcomed him into the house.
Mrs. Carter's fingers tightened around Luca's wrist.
Then she whispered the words that made his blood run cold.
""""Lu... that's him.""""
Luca turned.
The elderly man smiled.
May you like
And slowly raised his glass.
""""Hello, son."""""""
