Chapter 4

I looked up at him, stunned.

"Everything?"

"Everything."

He repeated it.

"From now on, just focus on getting better. Don't worry about anything else."

"Your health is poor, so I've had Mr. Conti arrange a doctor to check on you once a week. You don't need to worry about anything outside. I'll speak to the partners for you myself."

Sophia suddenly turned her head, her voice going soft and sweet.

"Daniel, didn't you promise me she'd be taking care of me?"

Daniel looked back at her, his tone indulgent, coaxing.

"The house is full of servants. Aren't they enough for you? Let Daisy rest a while."

When he turned his head, I caught a flash of venom in Sophia's eyes. But Daniel's words hurt far worse.

I was under house arrest.

All these years he had needed me, so he elevated my position and gave me all that power.

Now his seat was secure. He didn't need me anymore. So he took it all back.

But some things are not his to take back just because he wants them.

"Yes, Don Rossi."

He glanced at me, apparently satisfied enough with my obedience, then walked off with his arm around Sophia.

I stayed crouched where I was, separating the soaked pages one at a time and laying them out to dry on the dining room windowsill.

Sophia's laughter drifted over from the living room, threaded through with Daniel's low voice.

When I came out of the dining room, a maid quietly caught my arm and pressed a bottle of burn ointment into my hand.

She dropped her voice.

"Ms. Parker, I saw you burn your hand making breakfast. Use this for now. Mr. Conti has your cramp medicine set aside too. Come get it whenever you need."

"Mr. Conti has tried talking to Sophia privately as well, but it's not our place to say too much. You... just bear with it for now. Maybe it will get better once she has the baby."

I held that little bottle, warmth seeping into my palm, and slowly felt myself settle a little.

Back in his study, Daniel found Andre standing outside the door, a file clutched in his hand.

"Don Rossi, the contact who handles the eastern shipping route just called about next week's shipment schedule. He says he'll only deal with Ms. Parker. Anyone else, he doesn't trust."

Daniel was leafing through documents and didn't look up.

"Tell him Daisy doesn't handle these matters anymore."

Andre didn't leave.

"But Don Rossi, it's not just him. The West Harbor dock supervisor, the three suppliers in the south, and the informant who handles intel have all called asking what's going on. They say Ms. Parker pulled out overnight, and the ranks are getting nervous."

Daniel finally raised his eyes.

Andre pressed on.

"The Elders sent someone to ask today as well. They said Ms. Parker's work needs a proper handover, and they want to know if something has happened."

Daniel closed the file and pressed his fingers to his brow, a thread of exhaustion in his voice.

"Go back and tell them Sophia's family has already pledged full support for the Rossi family in next quarter's dock bidding. Anyone who thinks Daisy matters more than that can hand in his resignation right now. I'll send him north to guard a warehouse at the lumber docks, and he'll never come back."

Andre lowered his head, his back rigid.

"Yes, Don Rossi."

He turned and walked out. The door shut. The hallway went quiet.

I stood at the corner, back pressed to the wall, and slowly unclenched the fist I had made, four faint crescent marks left in my palm.

That evening, Andre came to take away my laptop and my files.

He stood at my door, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Ms. Parker, the Don says I'm responsible for these now."

I didn't stop him. I watched him pack away eight years of my work, piece by piece.

When everything was packed, he didn't leave. He lowered his voice.

"I'm sorry. I know all of this is years of your work, and it shouldn't be me taking it over. The Don is under a lot of pressure too. Once Sophia stops pushing, I'll give it all back to you."

I cut him off.

"Don't. You don't owe me an apology. Just do your job well."

He was quiet for a moment, then nodded.

"All right. Take care of yourself."

Then he gathered everything up and left.

With everything gone, my room suddenly felt very empty.

I thought of being twenty, taking that knife for him, and the whole night he kept watch at my hospital bed.

He had gripped my hand so hard it hurt and sworn he could never live without me.

The truth was, no one needed anyone forever.

Daniel, I can live without you too.

I pulled my phone from my pocket. Andre had sent a message.

"Ms. Parker, the transfer of all your work authority is complete. Going forward, please do not contact any informants directly. The Don's orders."

And right below it, a message from Matteo.

"Daisy, I've moved your mother out. Whenever you're ready, I'll come get you."