"“If You Can’t Accept Her, Get Out!” the Mafia Boss Told His Pregnant Wife—So She Walked Away Without Looking Back, Taking Their Unborn Child With Her. He Never Expected Her to Actually Leave.

Dante Moretti had been shot once before.

He was twenty-six, newly appointed head of the family, and foolish enough to believe he could attend a meeting without bringing a full security detail.

The bullet had passed through his shoulder.

He had returned to work three days later.

This time, the bullet had entered below his ribs.

And this time, he had been asking for his wife.

At Chicago Memorial Hospital, doctors worked behind closed doors while three armed men stood outside the operating suite.

Aunt Celia arrived with Elena just after midnight.

Elena had refused to come until the security chief confirmed that Dante was alive and the hospital entrance was clear.

She had also refused to surrender her phone.

The moment she stepped into the waiting area, Dante's younger sister, Giulia, stood.

"Where have you been?"

Elena looked at her.

"Somewhere safe."

Giulia's expression broke.

"He kept calling you."

"He had my number."

"He thought you were dead."

"Then perhaps he should have thought about that before telling me to leave."

Giulia lowered her eyes.

A few minutes later, the surgeon emerged.

"He's stable. The bullet missed the major vessels, but he's lost a significant amount of blood. The next twenty-four hours are important."

Elena nodded.

"Can I see him?"

"Five minutes."

Dante looked smaller in the hospital bed.

The man who could silence a room with a glance lay beneath white sheets, an oxygen line beneath his nose, his right hand resting motionless beside him.

When Elena entered, his eyes opened.

"You're here."

"Don't make it mean something it doesn't."

He tried to sit up.

Pain stopped him.

"Don't."

"Where is the baby?"

Elena's expression softened despite herself.

"Fine."

"Did they check?"

"Yes."

"Can I—"

"No."

He looked at her.

"Elena."

"You don't get to use our child as a reason to make me forget everything else."

His eyes filled with something she had never seen in him.

Fear.

"I thought I had time."

"Time for what?"

"To explain."

She pulled a chair beside the bed but did not take his hand.

"Then explain."

Dante looked toward the closed door.

"Vanessa's father was involved in a financial arrangement with my father. When he died, several people began fighting over the assets. Vanessa came to me because someone was threatening her."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know, or you won't tell me?"

He swallowed.

"Adrian Bell."

Elena remembered the business card.

"Why would Adrian threaten her?"

"Because he believes she has something that belongs to him."

"What?"

Dante closed his eyes.

"A ledger."

Celia, standing near the door, went completely still.

Elena noticed.

"What ledger?"

"The original Moretti trust records. They contain every transfer made through the family companies over the last thirty years."

"And my mother's name?"

Dante looked at her.

"Yes."

Elena felt sick.

"Did you know?"

"I found out last year."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I was trying to protect you."

"Stop saying that."

He looked away.

"I should have told you."

"Yes."

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the steady rhythm of the monitor.

Then Dante spoke again.

"There is something else."

Elena waited.

"Vanessa says she has proof that the child you're carrying isn't mine."

The words seemed to empty the room of air.

Celia stepped forward.

"That's a lie."

Dante looked at her.

"You knew?"

"I know Vanessa."

Elena stared at her husband.

"Do you believe her?"

"No."

"Then why are we having this conversation?"

"Because she has a recording."

"Of what?"

Dante hesitated.

"Your mother."

Elena stood.

"What?"

"Vanessa claims your mother told her that Elena's child would inherit something that was never meant to belong to the Morettis."

Elena's hands began to shake.

"My mother has been dead for seven years."

"I know."

"Then how does Vanessa have a recording?"

Dante's expression hardened.

"That's what I intend to find out."

Elena turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Home."

"Elena, wait."

She looked back.

"You have an entire family, a security team, and a woman living on your estate. You have people who will do anything you ask. I have one child to protect."

"You're not alone."

"Then prove it."

She walked out.

In the hallway, Celia caught up with her.

"There's something you need to know."

Elena stopped.

"Not another secret."

"Your mother didn't die in that accident."

Elena's face went cold.

"What?"

"The brakes were cut. The investigation was closed because someone paid to make it disappear."

"Who?"