Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO TOOK HER PLACE
Isabella Ricci arrived at the penthouse the following morning.
She wore a cream coat and carried a small designer handbag.
Matteo stood beside the kitchen window.
He hadn't slept.
When Isabella entered, she smiled.
“Darling.”
He didn't answer.
She stepped closer.
“Everyone is talking about last night.”
Matteo looked at her.
“Are they?”
She sighed.
“Natalie embarrassed herself.”
Something cold moved through him.
“Did she?”
Isabella frowned.
“Matteo, don't tell me you're blaming me.”
He stared.
“Whose idea was it to announce the pregnancy at our anniversary dinner?”
She hesitated.
“Yours.”
Matteo's jaw tightened.
“After you insisted that waiting would be cruel to the baby.”
Isabella crossed her arms.
“Well, it would.”
He looked toward the table.
The ultrasound photograph lay beside Natalie's letter.
Isabella followed his gaze.
Her expression changed.
“What's that?”
Matteo picked up the photograph.
“Natalie's pregnant.”
Silence.
Isabella stared.
Then laughed.
“That's impossible.”
Matteo looked at her.
“Why?”
“She can't have children.”
His expression hardened.
“She's had miscarriages.”
Isabella looked away.
“Matteo—”
“Those are not the same thing.”
She swallowed.
He stepped closer.
“Did you know?”
Isabella stared.
“Know what?”
“That Natalie was pregnant.”
“No.”
He studied her.
For a moment, he believed her.
Then he remembered the way Isabella had smiled while Natalie stood beside the chair.
The certainty in her expression.
The satisfaction.
Matteo looked toward Luca.
“Have the medical documents reviewed through the proper channels.”
Luca nodded.
Isabella's face changed.
“Why?”
May you like
Matteo turned toward her.
“Because I've made enough decisions without knowing the truth.”
