Chapter 2 - THE HEARTBEAT HE ALMOST LOST
Matteo read the letter four times.
Each time, the words became more difficult to understand.
Twelve weeks.
Our baby.
I wanted tonight to be the happiest anniversary of our lives.
He stared at the ultrasound photograph.
A tiny shape.
A date.
Natalie's name.
His wife was pregnant.
His wife, who had spent years enduring painful treatments and heartbreaking losses.
His wife, who had cried quietly in the bathroom after every negative test.
His wife, whom he'd ordered to stand so another woman could take her chair.
Matteo sat on the edge of the bed.
He remembered Natalie's face.
Not angry.
Not hysterical.
Simply empty.
He had mistaken that emptiness for weakness.
Now he understood.
Something had broken.
He reached for his phone.
Called her.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
He called Luca.
“Find Natalie.”
“Boss, we're working on it.”
“Find her now.”
Luca hesitated.
“Sir, there's something you should know.”
Matteo went still.
“What?”
“We located the taxi.”
“Where?”
“St. Catherine's Medical Center.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“Hospital?”
“Yes, sir.”
Matteo stood.
“Get the car.”
---
At the hospital, Natalie was resting when Rebecca's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Her expression hardened.
“Matteo.”
Natalie closed her eyes.
“Don't answer.”
Rebecca silenced the call.
A minute later, another.
Then another.
Natalie looked toward the ultrasound photograph beside her bed.
Her baby was still alive.
The doctors had recommended observation and follow-up because of the bleeding.
She was exhausted.
Frightened.
And utterly unwilling to hear Matteo's voice.
Rebecca sat beside her.
“What do you want to do?”
Natalie stared at the ceiling.
“Go somewhere he can't order me to come back.”
Rebecca squeezed her hand.
“Then that's what we'll do.”
---
Matteo arrived at St. Catherine's shortly before four.
He walked through the emergency entrance with Luca behind him.
The receptionist looked up.
“Can I help you?”
“I'm looking for Natalie Romano.”
The receptionist checked the system.
“I'm sorry, sir. I can't disclose patient information without authorization.”
Matteo's jaw tightened.
“I'm her husband.”
“I understand.”
He leaned forward.
“She may be carrying my child.”
The receptionist remained calm.
“You'll need to contact her directly.”
Matteo stared.
For the first time in years, his name opened no doors.
He stepped away.
Then called Natalie again.
No answer.
Luca approached.
“Boss.”
Matteo looked at him.
“What?”
“Mrs. Romano's friend is here.”
Rebecca stood near the elevators.
Her expression was cold.
Matteo moved toward her.
“Where is Natalie?”
Rebecca folded her arms.
“Safe.”
“Is she hurt?”
Rebecca looked at him.
“You should have asked that before you humiliated her.”
Matteo swallowed.
“Rebecca, please.”
She stared.
“Do you know what she was planning tonight?”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Rebecca's expression changed.
“You found the letter.”
He nodded.
She looked away.
May you like
Then whispered, “She thought you would be happy.”
Matteo felt something inside him collapse.
