Chapter 8 - Three Days After Birth
Dante’s face changed.
“What did you say?”
Nadine stepped into view.
Lucia slept against her chest.
“Lower your voice.”
Dante looked at his daughter.
Every trace of violence disappeared from his face.
“Nadine.”
He took one step.
Adrian blocked him.
Dante’s jaw tightened.
“Move.”
“No.”
Nadine spoke.
“Adrian.”
He looked back.
“Let him in.”
Dante entered.
His eyes never left Lucia.
“Is she healthy?”
“Yes.”
“Can I…”
He stopped.
Nadine understood.
“Wash your hands.”
Dante obeyed.
When he returned, Nadine placed Lucia in his arms.
The feared Dante Castellano began crying.
Silently.
Nadine watched.
It would have been easier if she felt nothing.
But love did not vanish because trust did.
“She has your mouth,” Dante whispered.
“She has my temper.”
He almost smiled.
Then he looked at Adrian.
“What did you mean about your name?”
Adrian placed papers on the table.
A protection identity.
Nadine Vale.
Not a marriage certificate.
Dante realized it.
“You bastard.”
“It worked.”
“You wanted me to think—”
“Yes.”
Nadine interrupted.
“Enough.”
Both men stopped.
She almost smiled at the absurdity.
Two feared crime bosses obeying a woman wearing a robe and postpartum compression socks.
Then she handed Lucia back to Celeste.
“We need to talk.”
Dante followed her into another room.
She placed her father’s letter before him.
“You knew.”
Dante closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Four years.”
“Four years.”
“I couldn't prove Vittorio killed him.”
“You could have told me.”
“I thought it would put you in danger.”
“You don't get to make that decision.”
“I know.”
“No. You know now.”
Dante accepted that.
“What happened with Celeste?”
He explained.
Celeste had kissed him.
He had responded.
Briefly.
Wrongly.
Then discovered the recorder and realized she was investigating Vittorio.
He had tried to keep both sisters away from the conspiracy.
“And controlling me was part of protecting me?”
“Yes.”
“At least you admit it.”
“I was wrong.”
Nadine stared at him.
“I don't know if I can forgive you.”
Dante’s eyes reddened.
“I know.”
“I don't know if our marriage survives.”
“I know.”
“But Lucia deserves a father who tells the truth.”
“I’ll tell you everything.”
“Start now.”
So he did.
For two hours.
No excuses.
No omissions.
When he finished, Adrian entered.
“We found Vittorio.”
Dante stood.
“Where?”
Adrian looked at Nadine.
“Closer than we thought.”
He placed a surveillance photograph on the table.
Nadine stared at it.
Vittorio was standing beside someone.
Someone Nadine knew.
May you like
The maid from the mansion.
And she was holding Nadine’s missing hospital records…
