Chapter 2
Luca arrived at the hospital at 6:18 the next morning.
He looked at the fetal monitor, then at me.
"Why didn't you call again?"
"I did."
"You sent one message."
"I told you I was at the hospital."
"I didn't know they were keeping you overnight."
"Because you didn't ask."
He pulled the chair closer.
"How's the baby?"
"Stable."
"And you?"
"Still having contractions."
Then came the explanation.
"Isabella thought someone connected to the Vieri dispute was following her. One of her security vehicles lost contact, so-"
"Was she attacked?"
"No."
"Was anyone arrested?"
"No."
"Then what happened?"
"It turned out to be a misunderstanding."
Our daughter's heartbeat filled the room.
"So you left your thirty-six-weeks-pregnant wife, who was having contractions, because of a misunderstanding."
"She was alone."
"So was I. She had security too."
Luca said nothing.
A little after eight, the doctor discharged me and warned me to return if the contractions worsened or the baby's movement dropped again.
My attorney had already told me to stay medically safe, document everything, and make a plan before I moved.
So I let Luca drive me home.
A silver car sat beneath the main portico.
No guest reached the Moretti front steps without being cleared at the gates.
Luca swore under his breath.
"Isabella?"
"She shouldn't be here."
Yet the gate had opened for her.
The front door opened before we reached the steps.
Isabella walked out in a cream coat. Her gaze dropped to the hospital band around my wrist.
"Elena, I had no idea last night was that serious."
"You knew I was pregnant."
"I did, but Luca said-"
"Isabella," Luca cut in.
Her voice softened. "I only came to thank you."
"For what?"
"Last night. If you hadn't come, I don't know what I would've done."
She touched his arm. Luca pulled away a second too late.
"We grew up together," she said. "Sometimes I forget he isn't someone I can call whenever I need him anymore."
"Then remember."
Her smile faded.
"I'm not trying to interfere in your marriage."
"You called my husband after eleven. Then you posted a picture of him holding you while I was in the hospital."
Luca turned to her.
"What picture?"
I showed him the screenshot.
He read the caption.
"Delete it."
"You're serious?"
"Now."
She deleted it.
"It doesn't matter," I said. "I already saved it."
"Why?" Luca asked.
"Because I'm done relying on explanations to decide what happened."
Isabella folded her arms.
"Luca and I ended a long time ago."
"Then act like it."
That afternoon, I woke to a message from Luca.
[I can't make your prenatal appointment tomorrow. Isabella's family situation still isn't settled.]
The danger from the night before had already proved imaginary, and he was still giving her his time.
I opened my calendar.
[Tomorrow, 3:00 p.m. - Luca coming with me.]
I deleted his name and left the appointment where it was.