Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO CAME HOME EARLY
Matteo reached Boston nine hours later.
He came through the front doors looking nothing like the man who had left for Santorini.
No suit jacket.
No tie.
No calm.
Harper was not with him.
Neither was Luca.
By then, Luca had disappeared after receiving Matteo’s call.
Dr. Evans remained with us voluntarily and gave a recorded statement to Matteo’s attorney explaining that Luca had threatened her medical practice if she refused to perform the unauthorized test.
Matteo listened without interrupting.
That was when I knew someone was in real danger.
Matteo was most terrifying when he became silent.
After Dr. Evans left, he found me in the dining room.
The packed suitcase still stood beside the wall.
I had placed his gun on the table exactly where he usually left it.
He looked at the suitcase first.
Then at me.
“You were leaving.”
“I still am.”
His jaw tightened.
“Not tonight.”
“You don’t decide that.”
“Someone just tried to test my unborn child without my knowledge.”
“And somehow you still think this is about what you want.”
His eyes darkened.
“Norah.”
“No.”
I stood.
“I waited through women. Lies. Disappearing for days. Blood on your shirts. Men outside our bedroom because someone wanted revenge on you. I forgave things no sane woman should forgive.”
His face hardened at the mention of Harper.
“She meant nothing.”
“That sentence is worse than if you loved her.”
He looked confused.
I stepped closer.
“You risked us for someone who meant nothing.”
That landed.
For once, Matteo had no answer.
I placed the photograph of Harper and Luca on the table.
His face changed.
“Where did you get this?”
“Elena.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
He picked it up.
His eyes became unreadable.
Then I placed his father’s letter beside it.
Matteo recognized the handwriting immediately.
“What is this?”
“Your father knew Luca was dangerous.”
He read.
Once.
Then again.
The color left his face.
“My father trusted Luca.”
“Apparently not at the end.”
Matteo walked to the window.
For almost a minute, he said nothing.
Then:
“Harper was Luca’s.”
“Yes.”
“And he sent her to me.”
“Yes.”
His laugh held no humor.
“I thought I was betraying you.”
“You were.”
He turned.
“You know what I mean.”
“No, Matteo. I don’t think you understand what I mean.”
I touched my stomach.
“Whatever trap Luca built, you walked into it because you wanted to.”
His expression cracked.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Matteo answered.
“Speak.”
A distorted voice came through the speaker.
“You finally read your father’s letter.”
Matteo’s grip tightened.
Luca.
“Where are you?”
“Closer than you think.”
“You came near my wife.”
“I came near your heir.”
Matteo went completely still.
Luca continued.
“You should ask Norah why I needed the paternity test.”
I felt my blood turn cold.
Matteo looked at me.
Luca laughed.
“She hasn’t told you?”
“Told me what?”
May you like
Then Luca said:
“Ask your wife who she was married to before you.”
