Luca Moretti found a three-year-old sitting in the one chair on his estate that no one was ever permitted to touch. When he asked what her first command as boss would be, the little girl's voice dropped to almost nothing: I want no one to make my mommy cry anymore. He nearly laughed it off as a child's wish — until a locked drawer, a dead mother's letter, and a signet ring caught in a corridor light revealed that the toddler had just, without knowing it, cracked open a thirteen-year betrayal hiding inside his own house.

Luca staggered to his feet and rushed out into the wine cellar.

The heavy wooden wine racks had been violently knocked over and smashed.

Red wine pooled on the stone floor like fresh blood.

A piece of thick, expensive parchment was pinned to a wooden barrel with a combat knife.

Luca pulled the knife free and read the elegant, feminine handwriting.

Isabella had survived the poison and used the chaos to kidnap Elena and Mia.

The note demanded that Luca bring the signed contract to the jagged cliffs at the edge of the estate.

If he brought any guards, Isabella promised to throw the child into the ocean.

Luca threw the note onto the floor and grabbed a loaded pistol from a dead guard.

He sprinted up the spiral staircase and out into the howling night storm.

The freezing rain lashed against his face as he ran across the manicured lawns.

Lightning flashed, illuminating three figures standing dangerously close to the rocky edge of the cliff.

Isabella was holding Mia by the back of her small yellow dress, dangling her over the roaring waves.

Elena was on her knees in the mud, begging hysterically for her daughter's life.

Isabella saw Luca approach and smiled a wicked, triumphant smile.

She ordered him to throw the contract onto the wet grass and kick his weapon away.

Luca did exactly as she commanded, slowly raising his empty hands.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

Isabella laughed and picked up the paper, claiming that the empire was finally hers.

Then she looked down at the terrified child in her hand and let go of the dress.

Chapter 7 - The Ransom Note