Chapter 4 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE ULTRASOUND
Vincent spent the entire night investigating Michael Moretti.
Isabelle barely slept.
Something had shifted.
The danger wasn't random.
It was connected to Vincent's family.
And somehow, her unborn child was at the center of it.
At three in the morning, Dr. Harrison entered her room.
"May I speak with you?"
Isabelle sat up.
"Is something wrong?"
"The ultrasound."
Her heart began pounding.
"What about it?"
"We repeated the scan."
"And?"
He hesitated.
"Your baby is healthy."
Relief flooded her.
"But there is something unusual."
He handed her a folder.
"Your baby's blood type appears incompatible with the information you've provided about the father."
Isabelle frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means the biological father may not be Daniel."
Her heart stopped.
"That's impossible."
"We need a DNA test."
Isabelle stared at him.
Then the door opened.
Vincent entered.
He heard the last sentence.
"DNA test?"
Dr. Harrison nodded.
Vincent looked at Isabelle.
"Do it."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because this is my child."
"Exactly."
She glared at him.
"You don't get to order me around."
"I need to know whether my family is involved."
"My baby isn't your family."
Vincent stepped closer.
"Maybe he is."
Silence.
Isabelle stared at him.
"What did you say?"
He didn't answer.
Dr. Harrison looked between them.
"I'll leave you alone."
After the doctor left, Isabelle's voice shook.
"Are you suggesting you're the father?"
"No."
"Then what?"
Vincent pulled a document from his jacket.
"A DNA report."
Isabelle stared at it.
"What is that?"
"Daniel's."
"How did you get it?"
"I had his body exhumed."
Her face went pale.
"Why?"
"Because Daniel wasn't who you thought."
Vincent placed the report on the table.
"The DNA sample from his remains doesn't match your unborn child."
Isabelle's world tilted.
"No."
"It means Daniel wasn't the father."
She backed away.
"No."
Vincent caught her before she fell.
She shoved him away.
"Don't touch me."
He immediately released her.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Everything I knew was a lie."
Vincent looked at her.
"Probably."
Then his phone rang.
Dominic.
"Boss."
Vincent answered.
"What?"
"We found Michael."
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
"Where?"
"He's been living in Chicago."
"Alive?"
"Very."
"Bring him to me."
A pause.
"There's a problem."
"What?"
"He's already coming."
The line went dead.
Ten minutes later, the estate alarm sounded.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Vincent pulled Isabelle behind him.
"Stay here."
"No."
He looked at her.
"For once, listen."
The bedroom door exploded inward.
A man stood in the doorway.
Tall.
Dark-haired.
Older than Vincent.
And wearing the same Moretti family signet ring.
Vincent stared.
The man's eyes moved toward Isabelle's stomach.
Then he smiled.
"Hello, little brother."
Vincent raised his gun.
Michael laughed.
"You always were impatient."
"You were supposed to be dead."
"I was."
Michael looked toward Isabelle.
"Until Daniel found me."
Isabelle's breath caught.
Michael smiled.
"Daniel wasn't your baby's father."
Vincent's gun tightened in his hand.
"Then who is?"
May you like
Michael's smile disappeared.
"I am."
