Chapter 4 - The Sanctuary Above the City and the Doctor’s Urgent Warning
Upstairs in the sprawling, glass-walled penthouse overlooking the glittering skyline of Chicago, the heavy velvet curtains were drawn against the storm. A private obstetrician, hastily summoned by security, packed up her medical kit after examining Isabella thoroughly.
“She’s under severe emotional distress, Mr. Moretti,” Dr. Evans said, packing her stethoscope into her leather bag. “The baby is fine, but she’s experiencing premature Braxton Hicks contractions. She needs absolute bed rest, warmth, and zero stress for the next month. If she undergoes another shock like tonight, she could go into early labor.”
Dante stood beside the bed, his hand resting gently on Isabella’s forehead, brushing away a damp lock of hair. “Will she and the baby be safe?”
“Yes, if she stays calm and rests,” Dr. Evans replied. “I’ve prescribed magnesium supplements. I’ll check in again tomorrow morning.”
After the doctor left, the penthouse fell into a quiet, heavy stillness. Isabella lay against the mountain of down pillows, staring out at the rain streaking down the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Dante pulled a chair close to the mattress, sitting down and taking her small, cold hand in his large, scarred palm. “I’m sorry,” he said, his deep voice carrying a rawness that surprised even him. “I should have protected you better. The moment you walked into my life eight months ago, I should have locked you away in a fortress where no one could ever touch you.”
“You didn't know, Dante,” Isabella whispered, her voice tired. “And your world... it’s terrifying. Look what happened tonight. People tried to kill me just because I existed in your orbit.”
“My world is violent, Isabella, but it is entirely yours now,” Dante said fiercely, bringing her knuckles to his lips. “I walked away from eighty million dollars in port concessions tonight without a second thought. I broke a lifetime alliance with the Sterlings in thirty seconds. You and this baby... you are everything. The only things that matter.”
Isabella managed a small, tired smile. “Eighty million dollars? You’re a terrible businessman, Dante Moretti.”
“I’m a man who finally knows what he’s worth,” he replied softly.
May you like
Just then, a sharp kick rippled against Isabella’s stomach. Dante’s eyes widened in sheer wonder. Slowly, reverently, he placed his palm flat against her eight-month belly. Inside, their daughter gave another vigorous kick, as if acknowledging her father’s presence.
Dante went completely still, a rare, breathtaking smile breaking across his harsh features. For the first time in his life, the ruthless mafia boss felt truly invincible.
