Chapter 5 - THE BABY WHO RECOGNIZED HER VOICE
Three days later, Adrian invited Emma to visit Luca.
She almost refused.
But when he explained that the baby was recovering and the pediatric team had recommended a calmer environment, she agreed to stop by for a short visit.
The Moretti estate stood behind iron gates in Lake Forest.
Tall windows overlooked gardens covered in late-winter frost.
Emma had never seen a house so large.
But the nursery surprised her.
It wasn't extravagant.
Soft cream walls.
A wooden crib.
A rocking chair beside the window.
Shelves filled with children's books.
Luca lay on a blanket, waving his hands.
When Emma entered, he turned toward her voice.
She smiled.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Luca kicked his feet.
Adrian watched from the doorway.
“He remembers you.”
Emma laughed softly.
“Maybe he remembers a calm voice.”
She sat beside the blanket.
“How are we feeling today?”
Luca made a small sound.
Emma smiled.
“That's a very serious answer.”
Adrian leaned against the doorframe.
For the first time in months, the nursery felt peaceful.
Emma noticed the nanny standing near the window.
Her name was Margaret Ellis.
She looked exhausted.
Emma smiled at her.
“You've had a difficult week.”
Margaret nodded.
“I thought I was doing everything wrong.”
Emma shook her head.
“You were trying to help.”
Margaret's eyes filled.
“Mr. Moretti was so frightened.”
Adrian looked away.
Emma glanced at him.
“Fear doesn't always look like fear.”
He met her eyes.
She continued.
“Sometimes it looks like anger.”
Adrian said nothing.
But the words stayed with him.
Later, while Luca slept, Emma noticed a medication bottle on the nursery shelf.
She didn't touch it.
Instead, she asked Margaret, “Is that the treatment Dr. Whitmore prescribed?”
Margaret nodded.
Emma read the label from where she stood.
The name was unfamiliar.
“Has the hospital reviewed it?”
Margaret hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Emma turned toward Adrian.
“Please make sure they have the exact bottle and administration history.”
Adrian nodded.
“I will.”
That evening, the hospital called.
The medical team had identified inconsistencies between the documented medication instructions and the bottle supplied to the household.
Further investigation was necessary.
Adrian listened without interrupting.
Then asked one question.
“Could this have harmed my son?”
The physician answered carefully.
“We are investigating that possibility. Luca is stable, but we need to establish exactly what he received.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
May you like
His son had been suffering.
And someone had been telling him not to worry.
