Chapter 4

Richard hesitated. His eyes flicked between the gun in my hand and the house.

If I was telling the truth, he was in serious trouble.

Sonia elbowed him and whispered, "We looked into her before we came, remember? Freya's parents were nobodies who got lucky in business.

"They spent every penny they had on this house, then drowned at sea.

"The mafia isn't exactly a secret in this country. Of course she knows a few names.

"Richard, if you can't cover the shortfall, you'll lose the company to them."

So I'd been right. Richard's company was running out of money.

That was why he'd suddenly come looking for me after three years.

He'd planned to sweet-talk me into taking him back, trick me into handing over the house, then toss me aside.

But after seeing Noah, he'd remembered the son he'd left behind.

The moment he realized he could use Noah to threaten me, he stopped pretending to be nice.

Richard grabbed a broom from against the wall.

"If you're a Marchetti, then I'm the Marchetti Don!"

He swung the broomstick at me with all his strength.

Just before it hit me, Millie scrambled to her feet and threw herself in front of me, catching the stick with both hands.

But she was too weak to hold on for long. She'd been sick for months.

Richard yanked the broom free and swung again.

This time, it slammed into Millie's head. She passed out.

For a second, everyone froze.

Then the tears came. I caught Millie in my arms.

"Richard, are you insane? She's my sister, she..."

But that only convinced him I was lying. After all, an orphan couldn't have a sister.

Without another word, he slammed the broomstick into my waist.

Pain exploded through me. My breath caught, and no sound came out.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair. "We've gotten this far. I don't care who she is. Sonia and I can both testify against you. Worst case, I kill you too. Unlike you, I actually have mafia connections."

His eyes were murderous as he ran a hand over the wall.

"If you don't want to be silenced, sign the deed over to me."

Sonia pulled a property transfer agreement from her bag and tossed it at me.

They'd come prepared from the start.

I stared at them.

Noah and Millie both needed to be rushed to the hospital.

Richard had clearly lost his mind.

If I kept fighting him, I might not make it out either.

The bodyguards were still on their way. I couldn't wait for them.

I swallowed every ounce of pride I had and begged. "If I sign, will you take Noah and Millie to a hospital right away?"

I'd never begged anyone like that in my life. I was so afraid of provoking Sonia that I didn't even dare call Noah my son.

Sonia already thought she'd won the house. Naturally, she wasn't going to let the chance to humiliate me slip away.

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "But you attacked Richard just now, and you frightened me. You do realize we could have you charged with attempted murder."

She stepped forward, mud smeared across her bright red heel.

"But if you really want my forgiveness, kiss my shoe. Do that, and maybe I'll forgive a pathetic orphan like you and take them to the hospital."

I stared at her, stunned by her cruelty.

When I didn't move, Richard seized me by the hair and dragged me to Sonia's feet.

He shoved my head toward her shoe. I couldn't overpower him. All I could do was close my eyes.

Then someone came charging through the gate.