Chapter 3
The Moretti estate was a massive, historic stone manor nestled high in the misty hills of Lake Forest. Surrounded by wrought-iron gates, security towers, and armed guards in dark suits, it looked less like a home and more like an impenetrable fortress.
When the SUV pulled up to the main entrance, a team of nurses in pristine white uniforms stepped forward, accompanied by a woman in her late fifties with warm brown eyes and a motherly smile.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Moretti," the older woman said warmly, helping me out of the vehicle. "I am Mrs. Gable, the house manager. We have the nursery prepared on the second floor."
I looked at Luka, who was standing beside the open car door, holding a thick wool coat around my shoulders.
"Mrs. Moretti?" I repeated, my cheeks flushing warm. "Luka, we need to talk about this. I haven't agreed to—"
"You need rest, Clara," Luka said firmly, yet with an underlying gentleness that surprised me. "You’ve been through a traumatic delivery and an even worse abandonment. Eat, shower, and sleep. We will discuss the rest tomorrow."
I wanted to argue, but my body was completely spent. My knees felt like lead, and my vision was beginning to blur with fatigue. I let Mrs. Gable guide me upstairs into a suite that looked like it belonged in a palace.
The nursery connected directly to my bedroom. It was equipped with state-of-the-art monitors, a plush rocking chair, a crib made of polished mahogany, and shelves stacked with organic baby clothes and toys. A private pediatrician, Dr. Aris, was already waiting inside.
For the next hour, Dr. Aris performed a comprehensive checkup on baby Maya while I showered and changed into soft silk pajamas that had been left on the bed.
"She is entirely healthy, Mrs. Moretti," Dr. Aris declared, handing Maya back to me, wrapped in a fluffy yellow blanket. "Heart rate is strong, lungs are clear. Though..." He paused, adjusting his glasses.
"Though what?" I asked instantly, anxiety spiking in my chest.
"I took a routine cheek swab for our records," Dr. Aris said, holding up a small plastic container. "Mr. Moretti requested a priority sequencing for file M-17. The lab results will be ready by sunrise."
My breath caught. "Is that... is that the DNA test to unlock my father's patent?"
"Yes," Dr. Aris nodded. "If Maya carries the specific genetic marker Arthur Hayes engineered, the encrypted file will decrypt automatically."
After the doctor left, I sat in the rocking chair, holding Maya against my chest, swaying back and forth in the dimly lit room. The house was quiet, save for the soft patter of rain against the grand stained-glass windows.
Around 2:00 AM, the heavy oak door of my suite creaked open.
I sat up abruptly, clutching Maya tighter.
Luka stepped into the room. He had changed into a dark gray sweater with the sleeves rolled up, revealing the detailed ink of a phoenix rising through flames on his forearm. In his hand, he held two glasses of warm milk and a silver tray with fresh pastries.
"I saw the nursery light was still on," Luka said softly, setting the tray on the side table. "You should be sleeping."
"I can't sleep," I admitted, looking up at him. "Every time I close my eyes, I hear Mark's voice. I see him walking away with Brenda."
Luka’s jaw tightened. He walked over to the rocking chair and crouched down, bringing his massive frame down to my eye level. The sheer size of him was intimidating, but his expression was entirely tender.
"Mark is a worm, Clara," Luka said, his voice deep and steady. "He made the biggest mistake of his life tonight. He thought he was taking your power away, but all he did was release you from a parasite."
I looked down at Maya, who was fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling softly. "What happens tomorrow, Luka? When the DNA results come in?"
"Tomorrow, we go to war," Luka answered plainly. "My uncle, Victor Moretti, has called an emergency board meeting at nine in the morning. He plans to declare Arthur’s patent abandoned so he can sell the technology to a foreign syndicate."
May you like
"Can he do that?"
"Not if the legal heiress shows up with the living key," Luka said, reaching out with one large, scarred finger to gently brush a lock of hair from my cheek. "You and Maya are going to walk into that boardroom with me. And together, we are going to tear Victor’s empire down to the dust."
