Chapter 4 - Unearthing the Past
The following morning brought bright sunlight and unexpected trouble.
As I conducted my morning rounds, two figures in formal business attire walked into the NICU alongside the head of hospital administration. One was Elena Rostova, a senior social worker from Child Protective Services; the other was a stern-looking lawyer representing the state.
"Nurse Sarah," the administrator said nervously. "We have an official matter regarding Baby Boy Miller."
Sebastian, who had finally stepped away to wash his face in the staff lounge, walked back into the pod just as Elena opened her clipboard. Her eyes widened as she recognized the city’s most notorious figure standing in a sterile medical gown.
"Mr. Moretti?" Elena asked, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
"I am the child's primary volunteer caregiver," Sebastian stated flatly, his presence immediately dominating the room.
"Well, that ends today," the lawyer announced stiffly. "We have received an anonymous report claiming that an unvetted, dangerous individual was granted access to a vulnerable ward. Furthermore, an expedited adoption application has been filed by an external party."
My heart sank. "An adoption application? He’s only four pounds! He isn't stable enough for discharge!"
"The applicant is willing to transfer him to a private facility," Elena explained, looking uncomfortable. "The family is wealthy and influential. The paperwork was pushed through overnight. A couple named Victor and Clara Rossi."
A heavy, dangerous silence fell over the room.
Victor Rossi was trying to steal the baby legally to break Sebastian’s spirit. It was a cruel, calculated move designed to force Sebastian into a violent retaliation that would land him in federal prison forever.
"Victor Rossi will not lay a finger on this child," Sebastian said, his voice dropping an octave, echoing with pure, lethal promise.
"You have no legal standing, Mr. Moretti," the lawyer sneered. "You are not related to the child. You are a convicted felon with a history of violence. On what ground do you object?"
"On the ground that I am investigating the disappearance of the child's mother," Sebastian replied smoothly, pulling a crisp manila folder from his leather briefcase on the counter. He threw it onto the table.
Elena looked at the folder, then at Sebastian. "What is this?"
"That is the complete medical and personal history of the mother, Mia Miller," Sebastian explained, stepping forward. "She didn't abandon her baby because she wanted to. She was forced to flee the state because Victor Rossi was blackmailing her family to take over her father’s shipping business. When she gave birth prematurely, Rossi’s men threatened to harm the baby if she didn't sign away her parental rights."
I gasped. The pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place. The sudden disappearance of the young mother, the lack of family visits, the eerie silence surrounding her case—it was all a setup orchestrated by Rossi to gain leverage over the hospital and the city.
"Is this true?" Elena asked, picking up the documents with trembling hands.
"Every page is notarized, with bank statements and witness affidavits," Sebastian said calmly. "Rossi didn't want to adopt a baby; he wanted a hostage. And if you sign those custody papers, Ms. Rostova, you become an accessory to human trafficking."
The state lawyer turned pale and took a step back. Elena closed her clipboard, her expression shifting from bureaucratic coldness to profound outrage.
"The transfer is halted immediately," Elena declared firmly. "Baby Boy Miller remains in this unit under protective state custody until a full investigation into Mia Miller's whereabouts is completed."
Sebastian bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."
As the officials hurried out, I turned to Sebastian, my mind spinning. "How did you find all that out in twelve hours?"
"I have resources, Sarah," Sebastian said, leaning down to check on Leo, who was sleeping peacefully through the drama. "But finding the mother was only step one. Now, I have to bring her home safely so she can make her own choice about her son."
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"And if she wants to keep him?" I asked quietly, feeling a pang of fear for the man who had grown so attached to the boy.
Sebastian looked down at Leo, his expression full of profound, selfless love. "Then I will build a fortress around them both and make sure they never fear anything again."
