Chapter 4

I really thought I could get away from him.

But I underestimated just how deep the Moretti name ran.

Every time I tried to find a lawyer to help me file for divorce, they'd go quiet the second I said Luca's name.

Some got jittery.

Others just straight up told me they "weren't taking new clients."

But we both knew what it was. No one wanted to go against the Morettis.

And just when I was running out of ideas, Luca called me.

"Tomorrow's Dora's birthday," he said, like he was talking about the weather. "She wants to see her mom."

My chest tightened. "Dora wants to see me?" I tried to stay cool, but my voice cracked a little. "Are you serious?"

"You think I'd lie about that?" Then I heard Dora's voice in the background.

"I want to see my mom."

That tiny voice hit me like a punch to the gut.

I blinked fast, trying not to cry. I smiled for the first time in weeks.

"I'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart," I said quickly, before she could change her mind.

I asked Luca, "Where we meeting?"

"The Villa Rosetta. Via Bellagio 1925."

Villa Rosetta. Of course. One of the Moretti estates. Where his parents stayed most of the time. That part made me nervous.

"Wait," I asked, "is it gonna be just the three of us? You, me, Dora?"

But the line was already dead.

I had a bad feeling.

***

Still, I showed up the next day. I wore my nicest dress.

I told myself this might be the last time I ever saw Luca, or any of them, because once I had Dora with me, I was gone.

I'd saved for years, stashed cash no one knew about.

Maybe I couldn't legally divorce him, but I could start a new life.

A quiet one. Just me and my daughter.

When I arrived, the smell of homemade food hit me right away.

Fiona was actually cooking in the kitchen, and the maid, Maria's mother, was hanging up streamers and flowers.

The place looked… warm.

Luca was in the foyer, and when he saw me, he just stared like he hadn't seen me in years.

Even his father showed up, flanked by two of his assistants in dark suits.

I kept my cool, smiled, nodded. "Father. Mother. Hope you're both doing well."

Fiona smiled back, genuinely, weirdly enough.

And Luca's father gave me his usual nod, that half-second acknowledgment he gave the waitstaff too.

I turned to Luca. "Where's Dora?"

"She's getting dressed," he said, avoiding my eyes.

"She's alone? I'll go help..."

"No, she's got help," he cut in fast.

My stomach sank. Help? From who?

I didn't have to ask.

A few minutes later, Maria walked in, holding Dora's hand.

Just like that, every hope I had for the day crumbled.

Dora looked at me, just a second, and then looked away like she didn't want to deal with me. Same as always. Cold. Distant. Like I was a stranger.

Fiona rushed over with a big grin.

She handed Dora a tiny velvet box.

A diamond bracelet that probably cost more than my apartment.

Then she turned to Maria, clasped a matching necklace around her neck like she was her own daughter.

"Happy birthday, my two little goddesses!" she beamed.

I froze.

My eyes shot to the wall.

There it was, big shiny letters: "Happy Birthday, Dora & Maria."

Their birthdays were on the same damn day.

I felt dizzy.

I slipped the small gift I'd brought for Dora back into my purse.

No way I was giving it to her now.

Not when she barely looked at me.

Everyone smiled like this was the happiest day of the year.

I stood in the corner, clutching my purse like it could keep me grounded.

Luca kept glancing at me like he was sorry.

But that didn't help.

When it was time for dinner, he came over and took my hand.

"Come on," he said, gently. "Sit with us."

Maria's eyes followed us to the table.

She didn't say a word, but her frown spoke volumes.

At dinner, she leaned toward Dora and said sweetly, "Look who's here to celebrate with you; your mom!"

Dora didn't even glance my way. Just kept looking at Maria.

"Say something to your mom, Dora," Luca said, clearly pissed off.

Dora turned slowly to me. Her little voice trembled. "Mom… please don't hurt Maria."

I blinked. "What?"

I couldn't believe what I just heard. "Why would you say that?"

Luca jumped in, his voice calm. "Dora, your mom's not gonna hurt anyone. She's here for you, okay?"

I turned to Dora. "Did you ask to see me, sweetheart? Did you really want me here?"

Fiona stepped in fast. "No need to talk about that now. It's a party. Come on, cheers!"

After dinner, Fiona pulled me aside.

She handed me a small box; inside was a necklace, just like the one she gave Maria.

Only she didn't put it on me.

She smiled and said, "Catrina… I know things haven't been easy for you. Being part of this family… it's not for everyone. But thank you. For bringing Dora into our lives."

Then she walked away like nothing happened.

Like she hadn't spent years making things difficult for me.

Later, Maria and her mother went out. Finally, Dora was alone with me.

I sat beside her on the couch. She tensed up, but not like before. At least she didn't flinch away.

I whispered, "Happy birthday, Dora."

She turned to look at me, and honestly, that alone almost made my heart melt.

I reached into my pocket for the little gift I'd been carrying around just for her… but then she spoke.

Her voice was cold. Way too cold for a six-year-old.

"Did you hide Maria from me?"

I froze.

"What? No, of course not—"

"You're bothering me," she snapped. "I'm watching TV."

That hit harder than I thought it would.

I gave everything to bring her into this world, nearly died doing it.

And now she's calling me a bother?

I knew then this wasn't the moment to patch things up. Maybe one day I'd fix whatever lies they've fed her. But not today.

I looked at her little face in profile, still glued to the screen, and said quietly, "Alright, Dora. See you around. Maybe next time you'll remember who your real mom is."

She didn't even blink.

I slipped the gift behind the couch cushion, didn't want to leave empty-handed, but I couldn't bear taking it with me either, and walked straight to the door.

This time, nothing was gonna stop me.

I'll admit it—I lied to Dora.

The truth is, I didn't care anymore whether she saw me as her real mom or not.

I'd taken care of everything. Paperwork, tickets, the car was already waiting.

If Maria was the one they all truly wanted…

Then fine. I'd disappear from their world.

I was done with the Morettis.