Chapter 4

I wake up to Freya’s screams calling for me.  I jump out of bed and race across the hall to the room she’s in.  “I’m here,” I tell her as I wrap her in my arms.  Her cries became muffled instantly.  “You fell asleep in the car, and Anton brought you up to this room.  Take a look around; he made it special for you.”

               She lifts her head and looks around the room.  “Are we going to live here now?”

               “For a little bit until I can find a new house,” I answer honestly.  “You’ll be safe and well cared for here.  That’s what matters most to me in this entire world.”

               “Mommy, why did Daddy say I was wasting money by giving gifts to the other kids?”

               “I’m not sure.  I think it’s possible your Daddy forgets how much money I make and that I have strict rules for all my bank accounts.  I’m looking into things, baby, but remember you did nothing wrong.  You didn’t lie, and you were spreading cheer with money your uncles gave you specifically for those toys.”

               “Okay, Mommy.”

               “I’m going to bring your suitcases in.  You should get dressed.  I know you are sad, but you do need to go to school today,” I encourage. 

               “I know, and I’m ready.  If I miss today, then I won’t have as long to study for the spelling test on Friday,” she announces.  “We will live here now, and Daddy can’t make me sad anymore.”  I grabbed her three suitcases from my room and began to unpack them while she selected her clothes for the day.  Once her things were unpacked, I wrapped myself in my robe, took her hand, and walked downstairs to the kitchen.  “Mommy, can we make pancakes today?”

               “I’m not sure when Anton’s housekeeper comes in each day.  If there is no breakfast already prepared, we can make pancakes, but if there is already food that has been cooked, we’ll eat that, and I’ll request that they make you pancakes tomorrow,” I answered.

               “Okay, Mommy.”  We entered the kitchen to find Anton at the stove cooking up a storm.  When he turns around, Freya lets out a gasp and moves behind my leg.  “Mommy, who’s that?” She asked, her voice a bare whisper.

               “Anton, what are you doing?” I ask him with a smile.

               “You girls had a hard day yesterday.  So I’ve made a few of your favorites, and I’m hoping I remembered her allergies correctly: nuts, avocados, and shellfish,” Anton answers.

               “Mommy, how does he know all that?”  Freya asked me confused.

               “Your Uncle Hudson is one of my best friends.  I know a lot about you.  I grew up with your momma and her brothers, and I stay in touch with everyone I grew up with.  I didn’t want to upset your daddy if he misunderstood that, though I’m not her brother; I was very close to your momma, so I kept my distance,” Anton explains as he approaches us.  He squats down to her level and reaches out his hand.  “My name is Anton Romano.  Everyone knows my name, and most adults get scared when they hear my name, but I promise you have nothing to be scared about in this house.  Everyone here will get you anything your heart desires.  You are my guests in this house and are welcome to stay for as long as you want or need to.”

               Freya tentatively reached out her hand to shake his.  “Mr. Romano, why did you make me a princess room?”

               Anton’s smile widened.  “Do you like it?  As soon as your mom called, I had people come set it all up, and we threw away anything in this house you are allergic to ensure no one makes food for you that will make you sick.”

               “Thank you, Mr. Romano.  It is very kind of you,” Freya replied.

               “Please call me Anton.  Only adults call me Mr. Romano unless they are family.”

               “Mommy calls you Anton.”

               “Your mommy is my family,” Anton replied, glancing up at me.  I swallow hard, hoping he doesn’t attempt to tell her what he meant by that statement.  “Your Uncle Hudson told me you like blueberry pancakes, so I made you a whole stack,” Anton smiled.  “And your Uncle Gideon told me that you like a special sweet treat from the Powdered Sugar Bakery.  Your dessert will be here when you get home from school, and you can eat it after dinner tonight, which will be your mommy’s favorite.”

               Freya’s mouth fell open as she looked at him in shock.  “Why?”

               “Because you, Miss Freya, deserve to be treated like the princess that you are.  I figured giving you some of your favorite foods would help cheer you up,” Anton explained.

               “My daddy never cooked pancakes for me.”

               “I’m not your daddy.  I am your mom’s oldest friend, and I wanted to cheer you up because I hate to see girls cry because of something a man did.  Besides, I’ll be honest, it’s the only thing I truly know how to make.  I prefer chocolate chip pancakes, and your mom likes plain pancakes with bananas and honey on them,” Anton answered.

               “Oh,” Freya seemed speechless at this fact.

               “Come on, baby, let’s sit at the table and eat.  No more giving Anton a hard time, understand?  He’s being nice and generous, letting us stay here and trying to help you feel comfortable here,” I encouraged, leading her to the table. 

               “Okay, Mommy.”  She sat down, and Anton set a plate of blueberry pancakes in front of her.  This little girl has turned one of the most feared men in the world into her personal chef and servant.  Though I’m not completely surprised, knowing she turned the head of the richest family into putty the day she was born and I called my dad on a video call.

               I sit in the seat next to my daughter, and Anton hands me a plate of plain pancakes with a banana and honey on top.  “Thank you.”

               “I’m assigning bodyguards to both of you.  Hers will remain outside the school, but close enough to intervene should he need to,” Anton announces.  “Living here, I will not be too careful.”

               “You don’t think I already have that in play?  You cannot put a guard on her from your employment, Anton.  They all bear your tattoo.”

               “I recall someone else with something of mine,” Anton states before shoving a forkful of food into his mouth.

               “I have my own team, and she’s had the same three people in her life since she was born, and I hired a fourth that works within the school this year to keep an eye on her inside the walls.  She is a Russo after all.”

               “I still can’t believe he let you give her the Russo name,” Anton adds with a shake of his head.

               “I gave her my last name, Russo Carter, for a reason, knowing he wouldn’t argue with me.  Now I realize he probably thought it was a way to keep us connected to my deceased family,” I say with a chuckle.  “I’m an orphan after all, according to my husband.  He didn’t meet both my brothers at our wedding, and my father didn’t walk me down the aisle seven years ago.”

               “He met Uncle Hudson?”  Freya asked, looking up at me, concerned.

               “More than once.  He met both my brothers at my wedding, and again after you were born when they came to meet you.  Anton met you when you were one day old,” I explain.

               She turns to look at Anton.  “You met me when I was a baby?”

               “Yes.  Though you look more like your momma now than you did back then,” Anton added.  This is a statement she’s used to hearing, and she’s seen the pictures at my parents' house to know it’s the truth. 

               “Thank you, Mr. Anton.  Uncle Hudson says that all the time.”

               “I’m sure he does.”  Anton wipes his mouth with a napkin and drops it on the table.  “When you are finished, just leave the stuff here.  My staff will clean it up.  If you need anything today, don’t hesitate to call.  As for your other favors, Val, I have people looking into it.  I’ll be home just before dinner tonight.”

               “Thank you, Anton.  I owe you.”

               “No, dear.  You simply called in the debt that I owed you.” Anton’s eyes looked at me so tenderly.  “Princess, when I get home, I promise you’ll have that special dessert.  Be good for your mommy and have a good day at school.”

               “Bye, Mr. Anton.  Have a good day at work,” Freya replied, waving at him.  He smiled at her before leaving the room.  “Mommy, it’s not polite to leave a mess like that.  Why did Mr. Anton do that?”

               “Because it’s been a long time since I reminded him about his manners.”

               “Maybe he was in a rush for a meeting.”

               “Maybe, but don’t you worry, I’ll remind him next time to at least put his dishes in the sink,” I answer.  I’ve spent six years teaching my child to be tidy even though we have housekeepers.  She may be spoiled, but I was going to be damned if I raised an ungrateful brat.  Instead, I raised a kind, compassionate little girl who, at the age of 4, began her journey of being a philanthropist. 

               Once we finished eating, I cleaned up the dishes off the table only for a housekeeper to kindly insist on washing the dishes for me.  I did not protest and walked upstairs to get myself dressed, while Freya changed.  When we were both dressed and ready for the day, we climbed into the back of a waiting car to bring Freya to school. 

               At the school, I asked for the driver to park so I could walk Freya into her classroom and make some changes to her forms in the office.  My blood is still boiling about yesterday, but some things need to be done to protect her.  I hug Freya goodbye, reassure her that I will be here to pick her up from school at the end of the day, then walk to the office to speak to the receptionist, Ms. Higgs.  “Oh, Mrs. Carter, I was about to call you,” She states, looking up at me with a polite smile.

               “Is everything alright?”  I ask.

               “We’ve been waiting for three months for you to contact us about the new payment method for Freya’s tuition,” she explained.

               “What do you mean?  The payments have been coming out regularly.  I just pulled my bank records for this account.”

               “Mr. Lincoln came in three months ago and transferred that payment to another student's account and assured us that you are aware of the transfer and would call us to provide a new form of payment,” Ms. Higgs stated.  I watched as she slowly pieced everything together.

               “I would like a statement from Freya’s account, and the documentation Lincoln provided to transfer the payment to the other child’s account.  I do not want the child’s personal information, just the payment records.  I’m filing for divorce, and financial fraud is looking like a lovely reason for it,” I explain.  “I also want to change Freya’s authorized pick-up list.”

               “I can get you the records, with the child’s name blacked out, by the end of the day.  I can make those changes to her pick-up list now,” She explained, turning to her computer and typing.  “Are you adding a new person?”

               “I’m removing Lincoln Carter until we settle things in court with a judge.  I would like to add Anton Romano as an authorized person.  He’s a close family friend,” I explain, knowing that question was coming.  “Anton is to be the second contact for emergencies, as my brothers live out of state.”

               She looks at me with fear in her eyes but doesn’t say a word.  “Those changes have been made to Freya’s account, and I will notify all the staff that Lincoln Carter is no longer permitted to pick Freya up until he obtains a court order to change that.  Is there anything else?”

               “Keep Aurelia far away from Freya.  If I find out they even cross paths, Anton will be coming to pick my child up,” I warn.  “We’ve had a run-in, so I know who she is.  She’s the reason I found everything out after all this time.  She’s a child, but she’s cruel and heartless towards Freya.  Remember who funded the majority of the playground and classroom upgrades you received this year.”

               “Understood, I will let the staff know at once.”

               “Don’t forget, I have eyes everywhere.  I know before the end of the day if Aurelia is allowed near my child.”  I turn on my heels and walk out of the school.  I sent a message to the janitor who's on my payroll early this morning, along with a picture of Aurelia from the hospital camera footage.  This is what my father meant by ensuring I have pull in everything that I will ever need to care for my child.  I’m on the board for the hospital; I funded enough upgrades for the school that I got my personal choice for a janitor.

               At my office, I begin to put my plan in action.  I call my assistant into my office.  Madeline enters my office, ready to take orders.  Her sharp suit is perfectly pressed, giving her an air of importance, which is well earned on her part.  Her short brown hair is pulled back, and her brown eyes are full of depth.

               “I want all free shares of Carter Associates bought up before the end of the day.  If any are for sale, buy them,” I state.

               “Understood,” she nods.  “Anything else?”

               “Not yet.  Thank you, Madeline.”

               She leaves, and I send the email I was drafting to my lawyer requesting that the signed divorce decree in our prenup be filed by the end of the day.  I send a separate email for the bank statement, detailing the extensive list of wire transfers to another account I do not know about, not to mention the expensive shopping sprees.  I also include a bank statement from Freya’s personal account that Hudson opened in her name solely for charity, with an explanation that the adult whose name is on the account will be able to testify to it, and I’ll get a written statement from the hospital staff to support the evidence that Freya gifts the children in the hospital once a month.   In another email, I attach the video footage of what transpired at the hospital yesterday with audio.  Thankfully, he stupidly did all that close to the security camera, so all the audio is clear.

               I could bankrupt Carter Associates.  I thought long and hard about it, but I think I’ll have more satisfaction absorbing Carter Associates into United Unlimited.  I’m going to take his company out from under him, then I’m going to sit on the board of his company, and fire his ass.  I’m going to take the one thing in this world Lincoln Carter loves more than himself, and the rest of his family is going to lose their minds.  The Carter Family company that was built four generations ago is going to become one of the Russo Family’s branches. 

               My phone begins to ring, and I glance at the screen.  “Anton, this is not going to become a routine for you.”

               “What are we doing about your husband?”

               “The divorce is being filed by my lawyer today.  In two months, I’ll be the new CEO of Carter Associates.  You do not need to do anything more than you already have.  I told you.  Let me handle Lincoln; I know how to hurt him most.”

               “I was going to blacklist him from my ports, then send a message to my rivals to charge him triple for being a shitty father.”

               “No.  I want him to think he’s still getting away with everything.  The more I look, the more I find,” I state calmly. 

               “I got the report on Hannah Murphy and her 7-year-old daughter Aurelia Murphy.  Aurelia’s birth certificate says father unknown, and the more my people dug, the more we found on Hannah.”

               “Oh?”

               “Yes.  She was a childhood friend of Lincolns.  Her mother worked as the Carter Family housekeeper until she died.  After college, which the Carter family paid for, she went abroad and became an escort.  She was a very high-end escort. I know the companies she worked for even tried to acquire one once until I lost interest in the thought,” Anton admitted.  “Val, are you sitting down?”

               “Yeah, why?”

               “I began tracking Lincoln Carter’s movements for the past seven years out of sheer curiosity.  I don’t believe he’s Aurelia’s biological father, but he most certainly traveled to visit them in Europe.  A few months after your wedding, he met up with a very pregnant Hannah in Venice.  Three months after Freya was born, he met up with them in France.  The following year, she was in Ireland for six months, where he visited for a week.  Followed by a stay in Europe.  My men also found where mother and child are staying.”

               “At the Carter family house?”  I guessed, feeling my entire world shatter.

               “For the past six months.  Aurelia attends Freya’s school, same grade, different teacher.”

               I close my eyes, trying to keep my tears of fury and betrayal from falling.  “That explains why Freya and I haven’t been allowed to visit for family dinners for the past six months.  Is there any evidence of them in a romantic relationship in their pasts?  Like you and I…”  I clarify.

               “Not that I could find, but babe…  Freya has been removed from the Carter family trust and replaced with Aurelia.  Any legal document of inheritance she once had from that family has been transferred to Aurelia.”  I feel like I was just punched in the gut and all the air has been knocked out of me.

               “Thank you.  Please don’t discuss this at the house when Freya is there.  Even if she’s in another room, we can’t breathe a word of it.”

               “I understand.  Protecting that little one’s innocence is the ultimate goal.  If you need help in taking his company, just say the word.”

               “I’ll have more of an idea of what I need next by the end of the day.”

               “We’ll talk later then.”

               “Okay.  Thank you, Anton.”

               “Anything for you, Valerie.  I told you, all you ever have to do is ask.”

               “I appreciate it.” I hang up and drop my head into my arms on my desk as the tears that have been stinging my eyes finally spill out.  This entire time, I never once suspected Lincoln of doing such a thing.  All those business trips- how many were truly to see her?  How could I have been so stupid?  He’s always been present and attentive until recently.  A fatherless child of an escort replaced my little girl in that family.  I quickly messaged Anton asking him not to say anything to my brothers.  I know what they’ll do if they find out everything, and I want to remain in control of the situation.  Lincoln Carter will regret ever crossing me, on my terms.