Chapter 4
Dr. Vale arrived within the hour.
He was discreet.
Trusted.
Terrified enough to be honest.
He took a swab from my cheek.
Then from Luke’s.
Luke flinched when the doctor moved too fast.
I saw it.
So did Grace.
So did Lucia.
Milena looked away.
While we waited, I had Rosa bring Luke a fresh plate of food.
He stared at it.
“Can I?”
The question almost destroyed me.
“Yes.”
He ate slowly.
Carefully.
As if someone might snatch the fork from his hand.
Milena watched with disgust.
“You are making yourself look foolish,” she whispered to me.
“No,” I said. “I did that fifteen years ago when I believed you.”
Her eyes flashed.
“I was your wife.”
“You were my lie.”
Carlo poured himself wine.
Too calm.
I noticed.
Rocco noticed too.
The first DNA result came as a rapid preliminary match.
Dr. Vale’s hand shook as he read it.
“Probability of paternity is above ninety-nine percent.”
The room disappeared.
Only Luke remained.
My son.
My son.
He sat frozen with a fork in his hand, like he did not know whether that result saved him or trapped him.
I knelt beside him.
“Luke.”
He stared at the plate.
“I don’t want money.”
“I know.”
“Mom said not to trust rich men fast.”
“She was right.”
He looked at me then.
My heart broke under his eyes.
“I didn’t know about you,” I said.
His chin trembled.
“Would you have come?”
“Yes.”
The word came out rough.
“I would have torn the city apart to find you.”
Milena laughed.
“Beautiful performance.”
Luke dropped his fork.
I stood.
“Remove her from the table.”
Two guards stepped forward.
Milena screamed.
“You would shame me in front of them?”
“You shamed yourself when you hit my son.”
Carlo rose.
“Careful, Angelo.”
I turned.
“No. You be careful.”
Before anyone moved, Grace spoke.
“There’s more.”
She opened her handbag again and pulled out a second envelope.
Milena’s eyes widened.
Grace looked at me.
“Isabella didn’t only leave letters for Luke.”
May you like
She handed me a tape recorder.
“She left your father’s voice.”
