Chapter 1 - The Encounter
Luca Moretti took another step toward our table.
The ambient noise of the exclusive restaurant faded into a deafening silence.
I instinctively reached out and pulled my twins closer to me.
Leo dropped his crayon in surprise.
Mia stared up at the tall stranger with wide, curious eyes.
"Nia," Luca whispered, his voice cracking with a raw emotion I had not heard in years.
Evelyn Shaw, his flawless new wife, stood frozen a few feet behind him.
Her perfectly manicured hand tightened around her expensive designer clutch.
"Luca, who are these children?" Evelyn asked, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
He did not answer her.
His dark, penetrating gaze was locked entirely on my son and daughter.
Every single feature on their tiny faces was a mirror reflection of his own.
"How old are they?" Luca demanded, his tone shifting from shock to a dangerous authority.
I stood up, my knees trembling, but I forced my spine to remain perfectly straight.
"That is none of your business, Luca."
I grabbed my purse and frantically signaled for the waiter to bring the check immediately.
"Do not walk away from me," he warned, stepping directly into my path.
"They are mine, aren't they?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and absolutely suffocating.
I wanted to scream that he had given up the right to ask that question the night he walked out on me.
Before I could speak, a tall man in a tailored suit walked up and wrapped a protective arm around my waist.
"Is there a problem here, darling?" Julian asked, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.
Julian was my business partner and closest friend, but right now, he was my only shield.
Luca's eyes darkened with a possessive, territorial fury I had never seen before.
"Who the hell are you?" Luca snarled.
"I am their father," Julian lied effortlessly, staring the billionaire down.
Luca let out a dark, humorless laugh that sent a terrifying chill down my spine.
He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
"We both know that is a lie, Nia."
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He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, sealed plastic bag containing the water glass Leo had just been drinking from.
"I will have the DNA results by midnight, and then I am coming for what is mine."
