Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO DIED TOO SOON
Isabella Moretti had been dead for six months.
Adrian still kept her favorite book on the nightstand.
Her perfume remained in the bathroom cabinet.
Her photograph stood beside Luca's crib.
Emma noticed these things.
She never commented.
Grief was not something to tidy away because it made other people uncomfortable.
One afternoon, Adrian found Emma sitting in the nursery reading to Luca.
The baby was smiling.
Adrian stopped in the doorway.
Emma looked up.
“He's having a good day.”
Adrian nodded.
“I can see that.”
She closed the book.
“Do you want to read the next one?”
Adrian hesitated.
“He doesn't understand the words.”
Emma smiled.
“He understands your voice.”
Adrian sat beside her.
She handed him a picture book.
He looked at the cover.
A cartoon bear wearing yellow boots.
“This is ridiculous.”
Emma laughed.
“Probably.”
He opened it.
Began reading.
His voice was low and awkward.
Luca watched him.
Then made a delighted squeal.
Adrian stopped.
“Did he just laugh?”
Emma smiled.
“I think so.”
Adrian looked at his son.
Something in his face broke open.
He began laughing too.
Emma watched quietly.
Later, Adrian told her about Isabella.
“She loved the rain,” he said.
Emma sat beside him in the library.
“Really?”
He nodded.
“She used to open the windows during storms.”
Emma smiled.
“That sounds dangerous.”
Adrian laughed softly.
“She said the house needed to breathe.”
His expression changed.
“She was supposed to come home.”
Emma looked at him.
“After Luca was born?”
He nodded.
“The doctors said she was recovering.”
His voice tightened.
“Then everything changed.”
Emma waited.
Adrian stared at the fire.
“Whitmore was involved in her care.”
Emma went still.
“He was?”
Adrian nodded.
“He consulted with the hospital team.”
Emma's stomach tightened.
“Adrian…”
He looked at her.
“What?”
She chose her words carefully.
“I think you should request an independent review of Isabella's medical records.”
He stared.
“You think something happened?”
Emma shook her head.
“I don't know. But given the concerns already being investigated, you deserve a clear explanation.”
May you like
Adrian looked toward the photograph on the mantel.
For the first time since Isabella's death, he wondered whether the story he had been told was complete.
