Chapter 4

Luca called a few hours later.

“Did you get your wound treated? I had them use an ointment on Bianca that won’t affect breastfeeding. What I said today was wrong.”

He paused before continuing.

“But the medication you’re taking isn’t safe for breastfeeding, and Leo still needs her. I’m only looking after her because I’m grateful. Don’t read anything else into it.”

“I’m fine.”

I looked down at my leg. Fresh blood was seeping through the bandage again.

“Take good care of her. Don’t let the baby go hungry.”

“I knew you’d be reasonable. I spoke to Mother too. She won’t give you any more trouble.”

Relief softened his voice.

“You gave this family an heir. I’m throwing a celebration the day after tomorrow. I’ll make it up to you properly. Wait for me.”

That night, the same story played again and again on the Chicago news.

Luca Moretti, head of the Moretti business empire, had deployed his private helicopter and called in dozens of surgical specialists.

All to treat a minor knife wound on the woman he loved.

While the reports celebrated his devotion, I took out antiseptic and supplies to stop the bleeding.

I treated the wound on my chest, then the one on my leg.

The following day, he still didn’t come home.

I packed what I needed and donated everything I could.

I smashed my wedding ring.

I tore up our marriage certificate.

Then I threw them into the trash together.

At noon on the third day, Luca sent a message: “I’m on my way to the hotel to check security and the arrangements. My man will collect you this afternoon.”

In reality, he was downtown, holding Bianca’s hand and carrying Leo through a jewelry store.

The entire store had been closed to other customers.

The staff crowded around them, offering congratulations.

“Mr. Moretti certainly spoils his wife and baby. This one sale is worth twenty years of my commissions.”

“But I heard they only booked a basic ballroom at an ordinary hotel for the heir’s celebration.”

“You must have heard wrong. Look at that pink diamond around his wife’s neck. It was bought at Sotheby’s this morning. It could buy ten hotels like that.”

I stood on the upper-level walkway.

The suitcase I’d just bought rested beside me.

Below, Luca gazed down at Bianca and the baby.

The message about checking banquet security was still on my phone.

I didn’t reply.

He had told me to wait for him.

He had told me the celebration would make up for everything.

Now I could see where he was and who he was with, while strangers congratulated him on his wife and child.

I stayed on the upper level with my hand on the suitcase.

Downstairs, the employees continued offering their congratulations to the three of them.

I didn’t call out to him.

I didn’t go downstairs.

Instead, I booked a same-day courier and arranged for the signed divorce agreement and the other documents to be delivered to the banquet venue.

Then I put on my sunglasses and headed straight for the airport.

A few hours later, Luca arrived at the hotel with Bianca and Leo.

Evelyn still hadn’t come.

He checked his watch.

She was more than an hour late.

Whenever she accompanied him to a family occasion, she was never late. Whatever else happened, she always arrived when she was supposed to.

Tonight should have been no different.

The celebration had been arranged for the birth of the heir she believed was her son.

He had told her he would make it up to her.

He’d sent a message with the arrangements.

But the agreed time had passed, and there was still no sign of her.

Luca took out his phone.

He was about to call when his second-in-command hurried toward him, carrying a document envelope.

“Don, we have a problem!”

Luca looked up from the screen.

His man stopped in front of him and held out the envelope.

“Your wife is missing. Someone just delivered these!”