Chapter 3 - THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Adrian Moretti had never been frightened of another man.
He had been threatened by rivals, betrayed by associates, and nearly killed twice before his thirtieth birthday.
But nothing had terrified him like the sight of his infant son struggling to breathe.
His name was Luca.
Six months old.
Dark-haired.
Gray-eyed.
The last piece of Adrian's late wife, Isabella.
Isabella had died shortly after Luca's birth.
The doctors had called it a rare postpartum complication.
Adrian had accepted the explanation because grief had left him incapable of questioning anything.
Now he wasn't sure what to believe.
At the children's hospital, Luca underwent a thorough assessment.
The pediatric team found signs of dehydration and discomfort that required treatment and monitoring.
They also recommended reviewing his feeding history and recent medication use.
Adrian stood beside the hospital bed.
Luca slept beneath a soft blanket.
A nurse adjusted the monitor.
“He's stable,” she reassured him.
Adrian nodded.
But he couldn't stop staring at his son's tiny hands.
Dr. Whitmore arrived forty minutes later.
“Adrian.”
His expression was professionally concerned.
“I heard Luca had another difficult evening.”
Adrian looked at him.
“You said it was colic.”
Whitmore nodded.
“That remains possible.”
“You said there was nothing to worry about.”
“Infants cry.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“For six hours?”
Whitmore spread his hands.
“Some babies are more sensitive than others.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“And the medication?”
Whitmore paused.
“What medication?”
Adrian stared.
“The nanny said you prescribed something.”
Whitmore's expression changed.
“A mild treatment. Perfectly appropriate.”
“Then you won't mind giving the hospital team the exact prescription and administration record.”
Whitmore blinked.
“Of course not.”
But his voice had lost its confidence.
That evening, Adrian called Emma.
She answered after the fourth ring.
“Hello?”
“Miss Carter.”
Silence.
Then a sigh.
“Mr. Moretti.”
“Luca is stable.”
Emma's voice softened immediately.
“I'm glad.”
“The doctors are reviewing his medications.”
“Good.”
Adrian hesitated.
“I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“What happened at St. Catherine's?”
The silence changed.
Emma's breathing became shallow.
“Who told you about that?”
“I had someone look into your background.”
“Without asking me?”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then you can stop calling.”
“Emma—”
“You don't get to investigate me because I helped your baby.”
The line went dead.
Adrian stared at his phone.
May you like
For the second time in twenty-four hours, Emma Carter had refused him.
And for the first time, he understood that if he wanted her trust, he would have to earn it.
