Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE
Lorenzo listened to Sophia's recording seven times.
Each time, he hoped the words would change.
They never did.
"Julian knows what happened at the clinic," Sophia whispered. "He knows about the payments. I tried to tell you, but every time I brought it up, someone was listening."
A faint sound interrupted the recording.
A door closing.
Sophia's breathing quickened.
"If anything happens to me, find the blue folder. And Lorenzo..."
Her voice broke.
"Please believe that I loved our son before I ever held him."
The recording ended.
Lorenzo remained motionless.
Then he threw the phone across the study.
It struck the wall and fell onto the carpet.
Marco Bellini entered seconds later.
He was Lorenzo's oldest friend and head of security, a broad-shouldered man with a scar running beneath his left ear.
"Boss?"
Lorenzo looked at him.
"Find Halloran."
"He's at the medical wing."
"Not anymore."
Marco checked his phone.
His expression changed.
"His car left the property twelve minutes ago."
Lorenzo stood.
"Who authorized that?"
"Nobody."
"Bring him back."
Marco hesitated.
"Alive?"
Lorenzo looked toward the photograph of Sophia on his desk.
"Alive."
Meanwhile, Hunter was experiencing a different kind of terror.
Her phone had begun ringing.
Unknown number.
Again.
Again.
Finally, she answered.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice laughed.
"Miss me, sweetheart?"
Her stomach dropped.
Tommy.
She gripped the phone.
"How did you get this number?"
"You're not hard to find."
"Leave me alone."
"You owe me."
"I don't owe you anything."
"You think those rich people are going to protect you?"
Hunter froze.
"What are you talking about?"
Tommy chuckled.
"I know where you're working."
Her fingers went cold.
"Stay away from me."
"Then bring me fifty thousand dollars."
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
His voice hardened.
"But I know something about that baby upstairs."
Hunter stopped breathing.
"What?"
Tommy said nothing for a moment.
Then he whispered, "Ask your boss why his wife really died."
The call disconnected.
Hunter stood in the servants' corridor, staring at the screen.
She felt sick.
Tommy knew about the Rossi family.
That meant his presence in her life might not have been an accident.
She hurried toward the security office.
Marco was gone.
Two guards stood near the entrance.
"I need to speak to Mr. Rossi."
"He's busy."
"It's important."
"Everything's important in this house."
Hunter stepped closer.
"Tell him someone knows about his wife."
The guard's expression changed.
Within minutes, Lorenzo appeared.
"What happened?"
Hunter handed him her phone.
"Tommy Vance called me."
"Who is Tommy Vance?"
"My ex-boyfriend."
"The man who hurt you?"
She nodded.
Lorenzo's eyes darkened.
"What did he say?"
Hunter repeated the conversation.
When she reached the part about Sophia, Lorenzo went completely still.
"Did he mention Halloran?"
"No."
"Did he mention a clinic?"
Hunter hesitated.
"No, but..."
"What?"
She looked at him.
"Tommy used to work as a driver for a medical transportation company."
Lorenzo's expression sharpened.
"Which company?"
"Eastbridge Medical Logistics."
He turned toward a guard.
"Get Marco on the phone."
Hunter stepped forward.
"Lorenzo."
He stopped.
It was the first time she had used his name.
"Please don't kill Tommy."
His jaw tightened.
"He killed your daughter."
"He caused her death," Hunter whispered. "And I want him held accountable. But I need answers."
Lorenzo stared at her.
"You want justice."
"Yes."
"And you think the law will give it to you?"
"I want to try."
He looked away.
For several seconds, she thought he would refuse.
Then he said, "I'll bring him in alive."
Hunter closed her eyes.
"Thank you."
That night, Marco returned with disturbing news.
Eastbridge Medical Logistics had transported supplies for St. Gabriel's Medical Center.
It had also delivered equipment to a private fertility clinic in Manhattan.
The same clinic where Sophia Rossi had undergone treatment.
And where Dr. Julian Halloran served as an outside consultant.
Lorenzo studied the documents.
"Who owns Eastbridge?"
Marco placed a photograph on the desk.
A silver-haired businessman smiled beside a charitable foundation banner.
"Adrian Mercer."
Lorenzo's face hardened.
Mercer had been Sophia's godfather.
He had attended their wedding.
He had stood beside Lorenzo at her funeral.
And he had personally recommended Halloran to treat Leo.
"Where is Mercer now?" Lorenzo asked.
Marco hesitated.
"At his estate in Connecticut."
"Send men."
"There's more."
Marco placed another photograph on the desk.
It showed Tommy Vance outside a restaurant.
Beside him stood a woman in a cream-colored coat.
Lorenzo stared at her face.
His blood went cold.
It was the night nurse.
The same woman Hunter had found sleeping beside Leo's crib.
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And beneath the photograph, someone had written a single sentence.
THE MAID WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE THE STAIRS.
