Chapter 3 - THE DOCTOR WHO DISAPPEARED
The following morning, Luca contacted an independent fertility specialist.
He also requested his original hospital records.
I sat beside him in the study.
“Are you angry?” I asked.
He looked at me.
“About the pregnancy?”
I nodded.
His expression softened.
“No.”
I swallowed.
“Then what?”
He looked toward the medical folder.
“I'm angry that I believed something for twelve years without questioning it.”
I took his hand.
“People trust doctors.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
Then he looked at me.
“And I'm frightened.”
The confession surprised me.
Luca Varenna didn't admit fear.
Not to his men.
Not to his family.
Not even to himself.
I squeezed his hand.
“Of what?”
He swallowed.
“That you'll think I don't want this baby.”
My eyes filled.
“Do you?”
He looked down at my stomach.
Then slowly reached toward me.
He stopped before touching me.
“May I?”
I nodded.
His palm rested gently over my abdomen.
May you like
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Luca whispered, “More than anything.”
