Chapter 2 - THE MAN WHO GUARDED EVERY DOOR
Dominic Russo had protected Marcus Falcone for nineteen years.
He knew every entrance to the mansion, every security code, and every weakness in the family's defenses.
Now an eight-year-old girl was accusing him of helping abandon Marcus's newborn son.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Dominic laughed.
"With respect, Mr. Falcone, she's confused."
Lucia stepped closer to her mother.
"I'm not confused."
Dominic's smile vanished.
Marcus raised one hand.
"Enough."
He looked at Lucia.
"Tell me exactly what you saw."
The little girl took a breath.
"I went to get my rain boots from the laundry room. I heard a baby crying near the back door."
"And then?"
"I saw Mr. Russo holding something wrapped in a blanket."
Dominic shook his head.
"That's absurd."
Lucia continued.
"The lady in green told him to hurry."
Marcus looked toward Isabella.
She stood beside the staircase, her face pale.
"What did she say?" Marcus asked.
Lucia hesitated.
"She said, 'Before he comes downstairs.'"
The words struck Marcus like a physical blow.
He'd been upstairs in his study all afternoon.
Reviewing documents.
Trusting his security team.
Trusting Isabella.
Meanwhile, someone had carried his baby through the house.
Marcus turned toward Dominic.
"Give me your access badge."
Dominic stared.
"Sir?"
"Now."
Slowly, Dominic removed the badge from his jacket.
Marcus handed it to his attorney.
"Preserve the security records and contact the police. I want every entrance reviewed."
Dominic's expression hardened.
"You're taking the word of a child over mine?"
Marcus looked at him.
"I'm taking the safety of my son seriously."
Minutes later, the baby was transported to St. Agnes Private Hospital.
Marcus followed in a separate vehicle.
Marisol and Lucia remained at the mansion under the protection of household staff and police officers.
But before Marcus left, Lucia grabbed his sleeve.
"Sir, I saw something else."
He stopped.
"What?"
"The baby had a little paper in his blanket."
Marcus frowned.
"What paper?"
Lucia reached into her sweater pocket.
She removed a folded note.
"I picked it up because it was getting wet."
Marcus opened it.
His heart nearly stopped.
The handwriting belonged to Elena.
Marcus, if anything happens to me, please protect our son.
Don't believe what Isabella tells you.
And don't let Dominic near the baby.
Marcus read it twice.
Then a third time.
At the bottom was another sentence.
The child you are holding is not the only Falcone baby.
Marcus stared.
Not the only baby?
He looked at Lucia.
"Was there another child?"
The girl shook her head.
"I only heard one crying."
Marcus folded the letter carefully.
His phone vibrated.
A call from Dr. Pierce.
"Mr. Falcone, your son is stable enough for further evaluation."
Marcus closed his eyes with relief.
Then the doctor continued.
"But there's something unusual in the hospital records."
"What?"
"The birth documentation lists two infants."
Marcus stopped breathing.
"Two?"
"Yes, sir."
A pause.
"Your son has a twin."
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Where is the other baby?"
May you like
The doctor answered quietly.
"According to the hospital, the second child died shortly after birth. But someone removed the original death certificate this morning."
