Chapter 3 - The Mistress Who Wanted Four Heirs
The first clue was a draft guardianship petition bearing Sophia's forged signature. The second was a hospital visitor pass issued to Isabella on the morning of the emergency delivery. The third was worse: a private investigator's report describing Sophia's recovery prospects in clinical language no stranger should have possessed.
"They expected me to die," Sophia whispered.
Rebecca refused to jump to conclusions. "These documents show planning and unlawful access. We need to establish who ordered it and why."
Emma placed a hand over Sophia's. "And we will."
At noon, Dante arrived at Rebecca's downtown office without guards. She refused to reveal Sophia's location but agreed to a recorded meeting. Dante looked as though he had not slept.
"I want to see my children," he said.
"You can request a supervised visit through counsel," Rebecca replied. "First, explain the papers you served on their mother hours after major surgery."
Dante stared at the table. "Vittorio said there was a security threat. He told me Sophia planned to sell information about the family and disappear."
"And you believed him?"
"I thought I was protecting the babies."
"You told her they didn't need her."
He closed his eyes. "I know."
Rebecca pushed the forged guardianship petition toward him. Dante read it twice. The blood drained from his face.
"I never authorized this."
"Then find out who did. And don't expect Sophia to trust your word."
That evening Isabella confronted Vittorio in a private dining room. "Dante is asking questions."
"Let him."
"The woman has the trust documents."
Vittorio set down his fork. "Which means we move faster."
Isabella leaned closer. "You promised I'd become Mrs. Moretti."
"I promised you influence. Don't confuse the two."
She stood abruptly. "I have copies of every payment you made to the hospital administrator."
Vittorio smiled without warmth. "And I have evidence of your role in the medical-record breach. We're both committed now."
Neither noticed the waiter collecting a hidden audio recorder beneath the sideboard. Marco had arranged the recording after receiving an anonymous tip. He no longer knew which Moretti to obey, but he knew that four newborns should not be bargaining chips.
Back at the suite, Sophia finally held all four babies one at a time. Lucia had her father's dark hair. Matteo opened his eyes whenever she spoke. Nico protested each diaper change. Little Rose curled her fingers around Sophia's thumb and refused to let go.
"You don't have to be brave every second," Emma told her.
Sophia kissed Rose's forehead. "I don't know how to stop."
"Start by letting us help."
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A nurse entered with a sealed envelope delivered by courier. Inside was a photograph of Sophia's grandmother standing beside Dante's grandfather in front of a timber mill. On the back someone had written: ASK WHAT HAPPENED AT THE RIVER IN 1998.
Underneath was a single sentence: YOUR CHILDREN ARE NOT THE FIRST REASON THE MORETTIS FEAR THE ROMANOS.
