Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past
By the following morning, the news of what had happened at the Grand Atoria had swept through the city like wildfire.
The tabloids were covered with photos of the incident: the shattered champagne flutes, Vanessa Sinclair looking terrified, and the infamous mafia boss Matteo Romano kneeling before a pregnant waitress.
Inside the quiet study of the Romano estate, Matteo sat behind a heavy mahogany desk, reviewing financial ledgers and intelligence reports. Lucas, his chief of security, stood across from him.
"What is the status of the Sinclair family?" Matteo asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Richard Sinclair tried to call your office seven times this morning, Boss," Lucas reported. "He’s begging for a meeting. His stock prices dropped fifteen percent after the rumors spread that you pulled your logistics contracts from his ports."
"Pull the rest of them," Matteo commanded coldly, not looking up from his paper. "And inform the banking board that any institution extending credit to the Sinclair firm will lose the Romano family's treasury deposits."
"Understood, Boss." Lucas paused, pulling a second folder from his jacket. "We also ran a full background check on Abigail Foster, as you requested."
Matteo looked up instantly. "And?"
"Her story checks out completely," Lucas said, his expression darkening. "She grew up in foster care, worked two jobs to pay her way through college, and was working as a junior archivist until eight months ago. Then her ex-fiancé, Marcus Vance, stole eighty thousand dollars from her bank account and fled the state when she got pregnant."
Matteo’s jaw tightened, a terrifying, icy rage filling his eyes. "Where is Marcus Vance?"
"He’s hiding out in a low-end casino hotel in Atlantic City," Lucas replied. "Running through the money he stole from her."
Before Matteo could issue an order, a soft knock sounded at the study door.
The door opened, and Abigail stepped in. She was wearing a soft cream cashmere sweater and a flowing skirt provided by the estate staff. Her dark hair was brushed neatly, and though she still looked tired, the color had returned to her face.
"Am I interrupting?" Abigail asked hesitatingly.
Matteo stood up immediately, the cold killer vanishing from his eyes, replaced by an attentive, quiet warmth. "Never. Come in, Abigail. How are you feeling?"
"The doctor you brought in this morning was wonderful," Abigail admitted, stepping into the sunlit study. "She did an ultrasound. The baby is completely healthy. A little boy."
A subtle, genuine smile touched Matteo’s lips. "A boy. That is wonderful news."
Abigail walked over to the desk, looking down at the scattered papers before meeting Matteo’s eyes. "I heard what you told your security guard when I walked in. You found Marcus, didn't you?"
Matteo didn't lie to her. "Yes."
"What are you going to do to him?" she asked softly, her hands resting over her swollen belly.
"What he deserves," Matteo said plainly. "He stole your life savings, abandoned his child, and left you to starve in a basement apartment. In my world, men like that do not get to walk away."
Abigail took a deep breath, stepping closer to the desk. "Matteo... I don't want revenge. I don't want his blood on my hands, or yours. I just want my life back. I want my child to grow up safe, away from cruelty and fear."
Matteo studied her face—the strength in her eyes, the gentle dignity she maintained despite everything she had suffered.
"You are too good for this world, Abigail," Matteo murmured, stepping around his desk until he was standing right in front of her. He reached out, his thumb lightly tracing the fading mark on her cheek. "Marcus Vance will return every single penny he stole from you, plus interest. He will sign away his parental rights legally so he can never touch your son. And then he will leave the country and never return. Is that acceptable to you?"
Abigail felt a lump form in her throat. No one had ever protected her like this. No one had ever stood between her and the cold cruelty of the world.
May you like
"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you, Matteo."
"You don't need to thank me," Matteo replied, his thumb lingering against her cheek, his hazel eyes locking onto hers with intense devotion. "You saved my family, Abigail. Protecting yours is my life's mission now."
