3

Morana’s POV

By the time Xavier came down for breakfast, I was already seated and was waiting for him. Exactly where I was supposed to be and how it has been for years. I came down early to make sure everything was ready then waited.

“The Cook really made my favorites.” I glanced up as he walked in keeping my voice warm. “You have meetings today, don’t you?”

He paused briefly just enough to take me in with that look of approval that used to make my chest flutter. Now I watched it cleanly for what it is.

“Yes.” he said, loosening his cuff slightly as he took his seat. “A full day but I’ll be able to accompany you to the hospital before I start the day.”

“I figured and that is so sweet of you” I replied with a beam, placing his coffee in front of him.

His lips curved faintly. “You notice everything.”

I almost smiled at that. If only you knew.

Aiden came downstairs right then and went straight to Xavier. I almost choked on my coffee at the uncanny resemblance that could never be uncle-nephew sort. They have the same eyes and freaking hair! He looks more like Xavier than his own mother and I thought it was just the blood they share.

Xavier’s entire face changed when he saw him. Something unguarded and genuine that I had never once seen directed at me in five years. He scooped the boy up without breaking his conversation settling him against his side.

Iris appeared in the doorway a moment later. Her eyes went to Xavier and Aiden and a small private smile crossed her face before she noticed me watching and smoothed it away.

“Morning Morana.”

“Morning.”

Xavier said something low to Aiden that made the boy giggle and reach up to pull at his father’s collar. His father!

I picked up my coffee and took a slow sip. Five years. I had sat at this table for five years and watched this and warmly called it family.

Iris moved so naturally as she poured herself juice before even sitting. Xavier didn’t look surprised and I realize these are the small things I have ignored for years.

By the time we got into the car, I had already settled into the role he expected of me. Always quiet and supportive in his ‘fundraising’ stuff as every trophy wife I have seen do in my world. That’s how money has always worked.

Xavier glanced at me once as he adjusted his watch.

“You’re unusually calm today.” he noted.

I turned slightly toward him letting a small smile form on my stiff face.

“Should I be worried about that?”

A soft huff of amusement left him.

“No. I just like it.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

In the hospital, staff greeted him with quiet respect the moment we stepped inside, their attention subtly shifting in his direction as always. He has the power and the influence and the control here because he has big shares.

I always wondered how much more power he would have if I signed my inheritance to him. I have thought about it for years and kept pushing it away to make sure he loves me for who I am, not my last name.

I walked beside him like I always did but this time, I paid attention to the details. The way we were led immediately to a private wing and no one asked unnecessary questions. Everything seemed pre arranged waiting for us.

“Same room.” Xavier said to the nurse, his tone casual and she nodded quickly.

“Of course, sir.”

The needle slid into my vein with a familiar sting but this time, I didn’t look away. I watched because he has healed my fear of needles long ago. The machine started its hum and dark red began to flow through the tube.

I shifted slightly in the chair letting my gaze drift, taking in everything around me.

“Your veins are a bit strained” the nurse murmured as she adjusted the line. “Have you been donating frequently?”

There was something careful in her tone as if she knew death would be knocking if I continued but she didn’t tell me that.

“I suppose. It depends on what you consider frequent.” I answered as lightly as I could.

She hesitated for a second then she gave a practiced smile.

“Well we just like to monitor consistency.”

“How many units today?” I asked as if it were casual conversation. She blinked clearly not expecting the question.

“Three.”

My fingers shifted slightly against the armrest but my face didn’t change.

“That’s standard?”

“Yes, ma’am” she replied glancing briefly at the chart. “As per request.”

Request?? Not recommendation?

My gaze lifted slowly and through the glass panel, Xavier stood just outside, exactly where I remembered with hands in his pockets and posture relaxed.

When our eyes met, his lips curved into a smile that was filled with pride and approval. I couldn’t return the smile this time around so I quickly turned around to stare at my blood. This will be the last fucking time I allow him to take my blood.

“It increased recently, didn’t it?” I asked turning back to the nurse.

“Only slightly. Due to the demand.”

“For the program?” I pressed gently.

“Yes.” She replied too quickly. “More patients and expansion and all. It’s a good thing.”

I nodded slowly as if satisfied but inside I knew what was going on. Nothing about this was standard or controlled or even safe. I have made my research and almost got to the conclusion.

By the time it ended, my body felt lighter in the worst possible way. Xavier entered just as the nurse finished, his presence filling the room and suffocating me.

“You did well.” He said softly, stepping closer to help me off the bed. . His fingers brushed against my arm gently.

“I’m proud of you.”

“Anything for you.”

His expression softened in yet another approval and for a brief moment I wondered how many times I had said that without understanding what it truly meant.

Xavier went for work from there and the driver took me back home where I spent the day researching some more. The answers aren’t there which means I need to up my game.

By evening, I had already mapped out my next steps so I went to Xavier’s study. He said he had an emergency and he won’t be coming back early and conveniently, Iris wasn’t home. Aiden is with his nanny.

The study was unlocked and Xavier’s laptop was unlocked! Because I was never a threat and I trusted him so blindly.

I moved fast through financial reports, private emails and somw acquisition files. All clean and organized in a way that felt rehearsed so i switched directions and opened a new tab.

There was rare blood commercialization. Private medical funding. Then underground pharmaceutical trials! I scrolled fast, my PhD doing what five years of playing devoted wife never let it do then I stopped fast.

Rothschild Pharma kept appearing in almost everything. The way powerful things move when they don’t want to be tracked.

But I knew that name! Five years ago Rothschild was a mid tier operation with aggressive habits that were significant but not untouchable. Not someone my father’s board would have lost sleep over because he was just growing in the shadows.

I clicked the most recent article.

-Rothschild Pharma Q3 valuation: $4.2 billion.

My stomach dropped as I clicked another.

-Tristan Rothschild outbids three major firms for Veltane medical patents.

Veltane??? They are our partners. What is going on???

-Rothschild Pharma in talks with Lancaster Holdings; exclusive partnership negotiations ongoing.

I went completely still at that piece of information. Xavier was trying to sign with Rothschild? And underneath that headline almost hidden, was a single line that made my vision narrow.

-Deal stalled pending Rothschild’s rumored interest in acquiring Mortaine Holdings.

My company? My family’s life’s work?

The empire I’d walked away from for a man who was never even my husband. And Xavier who didn’t know he’d been sleeping next to the Mortaine heir for five years was trying to court the same man circling my inheritance like a shark.

My mind started moving faster than it has in five years and it feels good to be back. Tristan Rothschild had money and power and his eyes on everything I was about to reclaim.

Enemy or weapon? I didn’t know yet but Xavier wanted him badly enough to stall a deal. That meant Rothschild had something Xavier needed more than my blood.

I closed the laptop and sat back. Interesting. I sat there for another minute then pulled out my burner phone that I have brought out this morning.

I’d tucked it behind the loose panel in my wardrobe five years ago when Morana Greene was born and Morana Mortaine was supposed to disappear forever. I’d been charging it in secret for years without knowing why.

Maybe some part of me always knew. I dialed Elliot first, my lawyer. He picked up on the second ring.

“Halt everything.” I said quietly. “Nothing moves until I say so.”

“Understood.”

I hung up and dialed again.

“Mora.” My cousin Felix’s voice cracked slightly on my name like he’d been holding his breath for five years.

“How bad is it?” I asked.

He exhaled. “Vance has three board members maybe four by next week. He’s been telling everyone you abandoned ship.”

“And outside the company?” My jaw tightened.

“That’s the other thing.” Felix hesitated but continued. “There’s only one person who could actually help you take Vance down fast enough to matter.”

“Rothschild.”

“You already know.”

“I just found out. Tell me.”

“Tristan Rothschild is the only competitor positioned to overthrow us if he wanted to.” Felix’s voice dropped. “He hasn’t moved on Mortaine yet but he’s been watching. If Vance keeps bleeding the company dry, Rothschild won’t need to attack. He’ll just wait and pick up the pieces.”

I stared at the wall.

“Or you get to him first.” Felix added carefully.

“I’ll handle it.” I said and hung up.

I looked down at my phone then opened a new search: Tristan Rothschild.