Chapter 6 - The Line

POV: Regina

“You have a daughter.”

Adrian’s voice was low, and almost filled with disbelief, as though the words were foreign to him.

I lifted my chin a bit higher, meeting his gaze.

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

There was nothing to deny and nothing to explain. Bella was my daughter, and I was proud to admit it anywhere.

For a brief second, I watched him part his lips as if he wanted to ask another question, then he closed them almost as fast as he’d opened them, stopping himself.

His jaw flexed twice, and whatever he’d been about to say disappeared behind the mask he always wore.

Behind me, Bella was already wandering back towards Sienna, who finally noticed her disappearance and was now crouching dramatically with her arms open.

“There you are!” Sienna exclaimed, scooping Bella into a hug. “You nearly gave Aunty Sienna a heart attack.”

Bella giggled. “I was helping mommy.”

I exhaled some of the air trapped in my lungs, my shoulders relaxing slightly after seeing Bella safely back where she belonged.

When I turned around again, Adrian was still looking in Bella’s direction intently.

His amber eyes followed every movement she made, and every tiny expression on her face, as though he were trying to solve an impossible puzzle.

Then his gaze shifted back to me.

“There was no news of you anywhere,” he said quietly, “or that you had a child.”

Of course there wasn’t. I had spent years making sure of it.

“Because I made sure of it.”

I said unapologetically and watched his brows furrow.

“Why did you hide her?”

“I didn’t hide her. I protected her.”

There was a difference. A huge one.

Heavy silence settled between us again, though the ballroom felt alive around us. Crystal glasses clinked. Waiters crossed the room carrying silver trays.

Yet somehow, standing this close to Adrian made everything else feel so distant.

Then, he leaned in slightly, close enough that I could smell the same cedar and clean linen scent that used to fill our bedroom.

His Adam’s apple bobbed once as he swallowed.

Then again.

I stared at it for a full second before catching myself.

Adrian Moretti…

Nervous?

The thought almost made me laugh.

In the three years we’d spent together, I’d never seen this man nervous. I’d watched him juggle a company and negotiate billion-dollar deals without breaking eye contact.

Nothing unsettled him. Absolutely nothing.

Yet here he was, standing in front me, looking…uncertain.

And for some reasons, the realization unsettled me more than it should have.

“How old is she?”

His voice was quiet, and I felt the question wash over me like ice water.

For a moment, I actually considered answering it, just to see his reaction, instead, I met his gaze without blinking.

“Mr. Adrian Moretti.”

His expression shifted subtly at the deliberate formality.

“I believe you know perfectly well how to draw a line between professional and personal matters.”

I folded my hands loosely in front of me.

“My daughter is my personal life,” I held his eyes. “And it’s none of your business.”

For the first time since we’d seen each other, I watched something flicker behind his eyes, and I turned to leave before he could speak again.

I’d only taken two steps when one of the guests—an investor I’d been introduced to earlier—intercepted me with a wide smile.

“Chef Price,” he said warmly, extending his hand. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I accepted the handshake politely.

“I hope everything has been satisfactory.”

“Satisfactory?” He laughed. “My dear, that would be an insult.”

I couldn’t help smiling, grateful for taking my mind off Adrian.

“The food tonight was extraordinary.” He gestured towards the dining hall. “Every course suited every palate at our table.”

He pointed toward an elegant woman chatting nearby. “My wife has severe dietary restrictions, and for the first time in years, she didn’t have to request special accommodation.”

His smile widened. “Your level of attention is superb.”

Warmth spread through my chest. Compliments about my food had always meant more to me than any magazine cover ever could.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “My team worked very hard.”

“It shows.”

He gave me a courteous nod before excusing himself to rejoin the other guests.

I dipped my head politely in return. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

As he walked away, I released a slow breath.

I turned slightly, intending to ignore the weight of Adrian’s gaze behind me and escape to the kitchens when a familiar voice drifted through the ballroom.

“There she is.”

My smile appeared before I even saw him.

Dominic Valentine crossed the ballroom with easy confidence, dressed in a navy tailored suit and looking every bit like the polished businessman he was.

His sandy blonde hair was neatly styled, and his effortless charm seemed to draw people toward him wherever he walked.

When he reached me, he didn’t hesitate in wrapping both arms around me in a warm embrace.

“Dominic,” I laughed softly as I hugged him back. “It’s good to see you.”

I pulled back slightly, smiling up at him. “What are you doing here? I didn’t see your name on the guest list.”

“You forget I’m also a business owner.” His eyes crinkled at the corners in amusement. “And an investor. I go where the money goes, Regina.”

His blue eyes searched my face carefully. “You’ve been working too hard.”

I rolled my eyes. “Says the man who thinks sleeping four hours is considered rest.”

“It is.”

“It absolutely isn’t.”

He laughed.

Being with Dominic had always felt easy and comfortable.

Five years earlier, when I’d arrived in Boston with a broken heart and a child growing inside me, Dominic had been one of the first people to extend genuine kindness to me without asking for anything in return.

He’d introduced me to investors when no one knew my name and quietly financed my first restaurant expansion when every bank thought that investing in me was too risky.

He’d even attended doctor’s appointments with me whenever morning sickness left me too exhausted to drive.

And after Bella was born, he had shown up with groceries, toys, medicine, and enough patience to survive a newborn’s endless crying.

Bella had adored him from the beginning.

If I hadn’t corrected her every single time, she would probably have grown up calling him Daddy.

The thought made me smile.

And of course, he noticed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

“I’m just remembering when Bella insisted your neckties were monster tails.”

He groaned dramatically.

“She nearly cut one off with safety scissors.”

“I told you not to leave expensive silk ties within the reach of a toddler.”

“I learned that lesson.”

His eyes sparkled with amusement before shifting briefly over my shoulder.

Only then did I remember that Adrian had been standing a few feet away from us.

“I see you’ve already met the host.”

“Our paths crossed.”

“Mm.”

And that was all he said. Nothing more.

One of the many things that I’d always appreciated about Dominic was that he never pushed. He simply stood beside you whenever you needed him.

“I should steal you for a few minutes.”

He offered me his arm with an exaggerated elegance.

“I’ve forgotten.”

“What?”

“I arranged for you to speak to one of tonight’s investors.”

I laughed.

“I actually did forget that.”

“I know.”

He took my hand lightly. “Come. There are a few people I’d like you to meet before they disappear.”

I allowed him to lead me away before glancing back one final time, and Adrian hadn’t moved.

He was still standing exactly where I’d left him.

Watching us.

I offered him the same professional smile I’d given every other guest that evening. “If you excuse me, Mr. Moretti.”

His unreadable eyes remained fixed on mine, then I turned away.

Dominic was already talking about hotel investments and expansion opportunities, but his words barely reached me.

Because despite the growing distance between us, I should still feel the weight of Adrian’s gaze burning steadily against my back with every step I took.

And I hated that my heartbeat wouldn’t slow down.