Chapter 10 - THE SAFE HOUSE WITH TOO MANY SECRETS

I always thought a safe place would feel safe.

I was wrong.

Adrian Viscari’s private estate was surrounded by tall iron gates, armed guards, cameras, and enough security to protect a president.

But the moment I stepped inside, I felt the same fear I had felt in my old house.

Not because I was in danger.

Because I knew danger was everywhere.

Maya held my hand tightly.

“Mommy, do all rich people live like this?”

I forced a smile.

“Not all of them.”

She looked at the guards walking around.

“What about scary people?”

I glanced at Adrian.

He heard her.

For the first time in days, a small smile appeared on his face.

“Some scary people have children too.”

Maya studied him.

“You’re not scary.”

Everyone in the room froze.

Adrian looked surprised.

“Why?”

She shrugged.

“Because you hold the baby gently.”

The answer hit him harder than any insult could.

I watched the feared mafia boss lower his eyes.

Because a three-year-old child had seen something nobody else did.

A father.

Not a monster.

Not a criminal.

A father.

But that peaceful moment didn’t last.

A man entered the room.

“Adrian.”

He was older.

Gray hair.

Expensive suit.

The kind of man who looked like he had spent his entire life making decisions.

Adrian’s expression immediately changed.

“Not now, Luca.”

The man looked at me.

“So this is her.”

I didn’t like the way he said it.

“Her?”

Luca smiled slightly.

“The nurse.”

Adrian stepped between us.

“Careful.”

Luca raised his hands.

“I’m only saying what everyone is thinking.”

“What are they thinking?” I asked.

“That a woman appears out of nowhere, saves your son, and suddenly becomes connected to the biggest secret of your life.”

The room went silent.

Because he was right.

From the outside, it looked impossible.

I looked at Adrian.

“Do you believe that?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

That hurt more than I expected.

Then he said:

“No.”

Luca looked surprised.

“No?”

Adrian’s eyes stayed on me.

“I believe Emily saved my son when nobody else could.”

The words shocked me.

Not because they were kind.

Because Adrian Viscari didn’t give trust easily.

And he had just chosen to give it to me.

Then another man rushed inside.

“Boss.”

Adrian turned.

“What?”

The man looked nervous.

“We found Mark.”

My heart stopped.

“Where?”

The man hesitated.

“Outside the city.”

Adrian’s face became cold.

“Bring him here.”

I grabbed his arm.

“No.”

Everyone looked at me.

I realized what I had done.

I had touched the most dangerous man in the room.

But I didn’t care.

“Don’t hurt him.”

Adrian looked at my hand on his sleeve.

Then at my face.

“You’re protecting him?”

“No.”

My voice shook.

“I’m protecting myself.”

He understood.

Because revenge wouldn’t erase what happened.

It wouldn’t erase the fear.

It wouldn’t erase Maya remembering her father’s anger.

Adrian slowly nodded.

“Fine.”

Then his phone rang.

He answered.

His expression changed.

“What?”

A pause.

“Are you sure?”

He looked at me.

And suddenly I knew.

Something terrible had happened.

“What is it?”

Adrian lowered the phone.

“Mark wasn’t alone.”

“Who was with him?”

His answer made my blood run cold.

“The doctor from St. Mary’s.”

The man who disappeared seven years ago.

The man who knew the truth about Leo.

The man who changed Maya’s records.

And now…

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TO BE CONTINUED…