Chapter 3 - The Brother's Betrayal
I dropped the phone onto the carpeted floor.
My entire world spun out of control.
Marcus Moretti was Luca's estranged younger brother.
He was the black sheep of the billionaire family.
He was also the only person who had helped me when Luca kicked me out.
I scrambled to pick up the phone.
"Luca, you have to listen to me, I never slept with Marcus," I pleaded desperately.
"My brother's name is legally registered as the father of my children," Luca roared.
"It is a forgery!" I yelled back.
"Marcus disappeared to Europe three years ago, exactly when this document was altered."
"I haven't spoken to him since the divorce," I promised.
Luca let out a harsh, bitter laugh.
"My lawyers are filing an emergency injunction for full custody as we speak."
"You cannot take them away from me," I cried.
"I am going to take them, and I am going to destroy you and my brother."
He hung up the phone before I could say another word.
I ran to the bathroom and knocked softly on the door.
"It's safe to come out now, babies," I said, trying to hide my terror.
Leo and Mia emerged, looking completely exhausted and confused.
I packed a single suitcase with their clothes and their favorite toys.
We had to leave the city immediately.
I grabbed my car keys and hurried them down to the underground parking garage.
My modest sedan was exactly where I had parked it.
I strapped the twins into their car seats and climbed into the driver's seat.
I turned the ignition key, but the engine only clicked uselessly.
I tried again, panic rising in my throat.
A dark figure stepped out from the shadows behind a concrete pillar.
I quickly slammed my hand down on the power locks.
The man walked slowly toward my window.
It was Marcus Moretti.
He looked thinner and older than I remembered.
He tapped gently on the driver's side glass.
"Roll down the window, Nia," Marcus said.
"You changed their birth certificates!" I yelled through the thick glass.
Marcus shook his head frantically, looking over his shoulder.
"I didn't do it, Nia, you have to believe me."
"Luca has the documents," I cried.
"I know he does, because Evelyn was the one who gave them to him," Marcus revealed.
I froze entirely.
"Evelyn?" I whispered.
"Roll down the window so I can explain before Luca's men get here," he begged.
I hesitated, my finger hovering over the window control.
Suddenly, three massive black SUVs aggressively swarmed into the parking garage.
Bright headlights blinded me from every direction.
Heavily armed security guards poured out of the vehicles.
Marcus raised his hands in surrender, stepping away from my car.
May you like
The back door of the lead SUV opened, and Evelyn stepped out wearing a triumphant smile.
"Hello, Nia," Evelyn said smoothly, holding a stack of legal documents.
