All Chapters of After the Don Chose Her Child, I Vanished With His True Heir: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The day I learned I was pregnant, my husband announced at his father's funeral that another woman was carrying his heir.The blood test results were hidden inside my handbag.It was only a thin sheet of paper, folded twice. In the lower-right corner, it said seven weeks and three days. The doctor had circled the number in red and told me the embryo already had a heartbeat.I had waited seven years for that heart to begin beating.On my way out of the clinic, I bought a small silver rattle engraved with an olive branch. I planned to give it to Matteo after the funeral.I had imagined the look on his face when he saw it.He might not smile. Men of the Moretti family rarely showed emotion in public. But he would pull me into his arms, lower his head, and lay a hand over my stomach.At least, that was what I believed until Bianca Rossi walked into the chapel.She arrived later than the priest.The chapel's heavy wooden doors opened from the outside. Bianca wore a fitted black dress. She ca

Before I could answer, Bianca folded the report and closed it inside her fist."She isn't," Bianca said, looking up as tears suddenly filled her eyes. "I read it wrong. It's an old test result."She stepped back, hiding the paper behind her. Her other hand clamped around my wrist, her nails digging into my skin.Matteo's phone rang.One of the guards upstairs reported that the east-side security cameras had gone dark for two minutes.He looked at me, then at Bianca."I'll handle it. Both of you stay here."The moment the door closed, the tears vanished from Bianca's face.She released me and unfolded the report."Seven weeks," she said. "You have remarkable timing.""Give it back.""Are you going to tell him?""That is our child.""Our?" She laughed softly. "He already chose once in the chapel.""Go ahead and tell him. No one knows whether a seven-week embryo will live long enough to be born. My baby already moves. The council has seen the paternity test, and the wedding is being plann

Seven days later, New York held my funeral.Dante brought me a photograph. Matteo stood alone before a sealed coffin, rain collecting on his shoulders. Bianca held an umbrella three paces behind him, one hand still resting over her stomach.That same day, my new passport arrived at the clinic.Lucia Vitale.A month later, I was moved to Montreal. On my first day out of bed, I braced myself against the wall and took twelve steps. On the twelfth, the baby moved inside me.It was his first reminder that both of us were alive.Two months later, the news reported that Bianca had lost her baby because of the trauma from the fire. Matteo executed three guards and shut down the entire hospital.I read the reports and told no one that Bianca's baby might never have existed.Eight months after the fire, as the first snow began to fall, I gave birth to a son.He had black hair, gray eyes, and a cry loud enough to keep the entire floor awake.Dante asked what I would name him."Niccolo," I said. "

Three years ago, a forged paternity report destroyed my marriage.Now Matteo wanted to use another one to decide who my child belonged to."Dante, watch Nico for me."I placed my son in his arms.Dante lowered his voice. "Do you need me in there?""No."I looked at Matteo."This time, I can walk out by myself."The study door closed behind us.Matteo locked it."Where did you go?" he asked."That is none of your concern.""Three years." He came toward me. "I buried a coffin I was too afraid to open. I sent men to search the ruins of the funeral home every day. I looked for you for three years, and now you tell me it is none of my concern?""Yes.""Why didn't you come back?"I studied his face."What would you have had me return for? To watch you marry her? Or to wait while you decided which of the two babies deserved to live?""I didn't know she was lying.""But you knew I was pregnant."He fell silent.The fire returned between us.I had put the report in his hand and told him I was c

The exchange would take place at East River Pier Seven.The property I had just taken from the Morettis.At midnight, a single light burned inside an abandoned warehouse. Niccolo was tied to a chair, blood at the corner of his mouth. When he saw me, he did not cry."Mommy, I didn't tell them where the file is."My heart clenched."You did very well. Close your eyes. Mommy is taking you home."Bianca stood behind him with a gun pressed to his shoulder.Enzo sat on a wooden crate. Three documents lay before him.The deed transferring Pier Seven. The ownership rights to the death file. And Matteo's resignation as Don."One child in exchange for the entire Moretti empire." He smiled. "A fair trade."Matteo stepped forward."Release him first.""Sign first.""Matteo." I looked at him. "We have other options.""I made you wait once already."He did not look at me.He picked up the pen and signed his name on each of the three documents.The nib made almost no sound as it crossed the paper.Ye