Chapter 3 - The Fiancée at the Door
I had faced prosecutors, rivals and men who wanted me dead.
None of them frightened me as much as Emma’s question.
“Does that mean you’re my daddy?”
I crouched in front of her.
“It means we found information saying I might be.”
“Might?”
“We have to make sure.”
Emma considered this carefully.
“Did Mommy know?”
“Yes.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“Would you have wanted me?”
Lena looked away.
That question nearly broke me.
I took Emma’s small hand.
“If I had known you were my daughter, nobody could have made me stop wanting you.”
She stared at me.
“Even when I spill cereal?”
“Even then.”
“A lot?”
“Emma.”
“A lot.”
Despite everything, she smiled.
Then someone knocked.
Three sharp taps.
Lena checked the security monitor.
Her expression hardened.
“Vivian Rossi.”
I stood.
“How did she find us?”
“That,” Lena said, “is an excellent question.”
Vivian entered wearing a cream coat and dark glasses.
Behind her stood her father, Carlo Rossi, and my consigliere, Marco Rinaldi.
Marco looked furious.
“You disappeared.”
“I had business.”
Vivian removed her glasses.
Her gaze landed on Emma.
Then on the documents.
“What business?”
Lena stepped between her and the table.
“Privileged legal matter.”
Vivian laughed.
“Lorenzo and I are getting married in three weeks.”
“That doesn’t make you my client.”
Carlo’s eyes narrowed.
“What is happening?”
I watched them instead of answering.
Sophia had warned me.
Do not confront anyone.
Evidence first.
So I asked one question.
“How did you know where I was?”
Marco answered.
“Security traced the car.”
Vivian immediately said, “Marco called me.”
Marco turned toward her.
“No, I didn’t.”
The room changed.
Vivian’s face barely moved.
But it moved enough.
Lena saw it too.
Carlo stepped forward.
“This is ridiculous.”
I raised one hand.
He stopped.
“Vivian?”
She smiled.
“Your security people told me.”
“Which one?”
“Lorenzo—”
“Name him.”
She couldn’t.
Emma climbed down from the couch and came to my side.
Vivian stared at her.
Then at me.
“What did Sophia leave you?”
There it was.
Not why are you here?
Not what happened?
What did Sophia leave you?
Lena closed the evidence case.
Vivian noticed.
“Is that what this is about? The maid?”
Emma stiffened.
I felt her fingers grip my sleeve.
I kept my voice quiet.
“Her name was Sophia.”
Vivian rolled her eyes.
“Fine. Sophia.”
Emma whispered, “She was my mommy.”
Vivian looked down at her.
“I know.”
Something cold entered my chest.
“How?”
Vivian froze.
Emma had lived in my mansion with Sophia for years, but Vivian had always acted as if the child barely registered.
Yet she knew instantly.
Carlo intervened.
“Enough. Lorenzo, our families are hosting two hundred guests tonight to announce the final merger terms. Whatever nonsense that woman left behind can wait.”
I studied him.
“No.”
Carlo blinked.
“No?”
“The announcement continues.”
Vivian relaxed.
Then I finished.
“But the terms have changed.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll find out tonight.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t embarrass me over a dead servant.”
Emma’s grip tightened.
Marco looked at Vivian with disgust.
I stepped closer.
“Say that again.”
Lena touched my arm.
Evidence first.
I stopped.
Vivian smiled nervously.
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“It was exactly what you meant.”
I turned to Lena.
“Arrange the independent test.”
Then to Marco.
“Tonight’s gathering stays exactly as planned.”
Marco nodded.
“And security?”
“Nobody is removed. Nobody is warned.”
Carlo stared at me.
“You suspect us of something?”
“I suspect everyone.”
Emma tugged my jacket.
“Mr. Lorenzo?”
I looked down.
“Can I go home?”
Home.
She meant my mansion.
I lifted her into my arms.
“Yes.”
Vivian stared at us.
For the first time since our engagement began, she looked afraid.
May you like
Not of me.
Of the little girl in my arms.
