Chapter 2 - Eight Months of Silence
Mara opened her eyes to the sound of rain.
For several seconds, she did not know where she was.
Then the pain returned.
Sharp.
Deep.
Relentless.
She tried to move.
A nurse immediately leaned over her.
“Don't.”
Mara blinked.
“Where…”
“You're in recovery.”
“My baby.”
The nurse smiled gently.
“Your baby is alive.”
Mara closed her eyes.
A tear escaped.
“Boy?”
“Girl.”
Mara's breath caught.
“A girl?”
“Beautiful little fighter.”
Mara covered her face.
For eight months she had imagined this moment.
But never like this.
Never beneath hospital lights.
Never surrounded by machines.
Never wondering whether the man she had spent eleven months trying to forget was standing somewhere outside her door.
The nurse adjusted her blanket.
“Your husband is here.”
Mara's eyes opened.
“No.”
“He's been here all night.”
“Please.”
“He won't leave.”
Mara turned her face toward the window.
“Tell him to go.”
The nurse hesitated.
“He said he won't.”
Mara almost laughed.
Of course he wouldn't.
Dominic had always believed doors opened when he wanted them to.
People listened when he spoke.
Problems disappeared when he decided they should.
But this was different.
He could not order her heart to forgive him.
He could not erase eleven months.
And he could not undo the night she had left.
Mara remembered it clearly.
The penthouse.
The contract on the dining table.
Celeste standing beside Dominic.
Dominic's voice.
“You're making this harder than it needs to be.”
Mara had stared at him.
“Harder for who?”
“For everyone.”
She had looked at Celeste.
Then back at him.
“Does she know?”
Dominic had frowned.
“Know what?”
Mara had placed a hand over her stomach.
At that moment, she had almost told him.
Almost.
But Celeste had smiled.
A small smile.
Almost triumphant.
Then Mara had noticed the document on the table.
A divorce agreement.
Already signed by Dominic.
The child inside her had kicked.
And Mara had understood.
She was alone.
So she left.
She never told him.
Not because she wanted revenge.
Because she had been afraid.
Dominic had enemies.
People who hated him.
People who wanted his empire.
People who would have killed to hurt him through his family.
Mara had believed disappearing was the only way to protect the baby.
She had been wrong about many things.
But she had never expected Dominic to discover her this way.
The door opened.
Mara immediately turned away.
Dominic stepped inside.
He looked different.
Not physically.
His black shirt was still rolled at the sleeves.
His tattooed forearm was still visible.
His hair was still disheveled.
But something inside his face had changed.
He looked frightened.
Mara had never seen Dominic frightened before.
He stopped beside the bed.
“Mara.”
She said nothing.
“I didn't know.”
Her eyes remained on the window.
“You weren't supposed to.”
His throat tightened.
“Is she mine?”
Mara closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Dominic sat down.
Neither spoke.
Finally he whispered,
“Why?”
Mara looked at him.
“Because I saw the divorce papers.”
Dominic stared.
“I never filed them.”
“You signed them.”
“I signed a blank agreement.”
“Why?”
“Celeste told me it was a business document.”
Mara laughed softly.
There was no humor in it.
“Of course.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“Mara, listen to me.”
“I listened to you for years.”
“I didn't know.”
“You knew enough.”
He looked down.
“I thought you left because you hated me.”
“I left because I thought you chose her.”
“I didn't.”
“You stood beside her.”
“I was being manipulated.”
“You were still there.”
He had no answer.
Mara turned away.
Then Dominic noticed the small plastic bracelet around her wrist.
Hospital identification.
MARA VASCARI.
Below it, another label.
BABY GIRL VASCARI.
His fingers trembled.
“What's her name?”
Mara hesitated.
“I haven't decided.”
Dominic nodded.
“I want to see her.”
Mara looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because she's my daughter.”
“And?”
“And because I lost eight months.”
“You did.”
His eyes filled.
“I can't get them back.”
“No.”
“But maybe I can earn the next eight months.”
Mara stared at him.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
A nurse entered carrying a folder.
“Mr. Vascari, there is something you need to sign.”
Dominic stood.
“What?”
The nurse placed the folder on the table.
“Regarding the baby's temporary guardianship.”
Mara frowned.
“Guardianship?”
The nurse looked uncomfortable.
“We received an unusual request.”
Dominic opened the folder.
His expression changed.
At the bottom of the page was a name.
Celeste Arden.
Mara's blood ran cold.
May you like
Dominic slowly looked toward the door.
And somewhere in the hallway, Celeste's heels stopped outside their room.
