Chapter 4

"If Valentina needs the study, let her keep using it."

I carried the box to the bedroom, opened my suitcase, and began packing.

Dante followed. When he saw the half-filled suitcase, his face darkened and he seized my wrist. "Why are you packing? Where are you going?"

I pulled free. "Didn't you say I should have my own life and didn't need to report everything to you?"

Dante paused, apparently remembering his own words. After a moment, he softened his voice. "I was wrong not to tell you Valentina was moving into the estate. From now on, I'll discuss household arrangements with you first. The situation at the docks will take another two days. I've arranged your appointment with the family doctor for three days from now, and I'll go with you."

Even now, I ranked below family business and Valentina in his list of priorities.

I continued folding clothes. "There's no need. Whether you go or not makes no difference."

I was about to tell him there would be no more appointments when his phone rang.

Valentina's calm voice came through the receiver. "We found the man who leaked the convoy route. He's heading for the south docks with the port ledger. I'm taking a team after him."

Dante's expression changed at once. "Your injury hasn't healed."

"It's only a graze. I can handle the operation. Stay at the estate with Evelyn."

Valentina did not ask him to come, yet Dante was already reaching for the gun on the table. "Don't move until I get there."

He hung up and turned toward the door.

"Wait."

Dante stopped, impatience already between his brows. "Evelyn, that traitor almost killed Valentina and more than a dozen members of the family. Now he has the port ledger. I know you're unhappy about the study, but this isn't the time to discuss it. I'll go to your appointment the day after tomorrow and listen to everything you want to say. Right now, I need you to understand what matters most."

He had misunderstood. I had only meant to tell him there was no reason to arrange another appointment. But as I watched him hurry away, the truth suddenly seemed unnecessary. He had not had time to listen while our baby was alive. Now that the baby was gone, the truth no longer mattered.

After the door closed, I placed the last item of clothing in my suitcase. This time, I did not wait for him to return.

Dante scheduled the appointment anyway. Soon after he left, the family doctor called. "Your examination is at nine in the morning three days from now. Mr. Moretti said you canceled because you were angry with him. He will accompany you personally."

"I won't be there." The doctor tried to protest, but I ended the call.

In three days, I would arrive in Los Angeles and formally join Westbridge Risk Group.

Before leaving the estate, I placed three things on the bedroom table: my engagement ring, the dissolution agreement, and my miscarriage report.

Dante still had not returned by the time I boarded my flight to Los Angeles.

Two hours after I landed, my phone rang.

It was Dante.

The moment I answered, his panicked voice exploded through the receiver.

“Evelyn! Where is our baby?”