HE BEGGED THE NURSES TO KEEP HER AWAY.

Olivia stared at the legal documents in Adrian’s hand, her chest heaving.

"You forged medical documents," Olivia whispered, the sheer cruelty of the betrayal washing over her. "You convinced my sister-in-law to testify against my sanity, just so you could steal my daughter’s inheritance."

"It's already filed with the court," Adrian smirked. "You can fight it, of course. But it’ll take months. Years, maybe. In the meantime, I’m taking the baby."

He took a step toward Eleanor.

Luca didn't move. He didn't even raise his voice.

"Adrian," Luca said quietly.

Adrian stopped. He looked at the mafia boss, a hint of genuine fear bleeding through his arrogant facade.

"Do you know why I let my sister stay in this house after Matthew died?" Luca asked.

Adrian frowned. "Because she was grieving."

"No," Luca said. "Because I knew someone tampered with the brake lines of Matthew’s car before the truck ever hit him. And I knew whoever did it would eventually come for the money he left behind."

Adrian’s face went perfectly slack.

Vanessa let out a strangled gasp. "You knew?"

Luca finally moved. He walked slowly toward Adrian, his presence dominating the entire room.

"I knew the crash wasn't an accident the night it happened," Luca said, his voice cold and precise. "I knew my men weren't involved, because I questioned the driver myself. He was paid by a woman, but he didn't run Matthew off the road. Matthew’s brakes failed. He lost control."

Luca stopped right in front of Adrian.

"I didn't know who did it," Luca whispered. "So I brought Olivia here. I put security on her 24/7. And I waited. I waited to see who would try to force her out. Who would try to take the baby. Who would try to take the restaurant."

He looked at Vanessa, who was weeping silently against the wall.

"You played your part perfectly, Vanessa. You isolated her. You made her feel crazy. You tried to force her to leave."

Then Luca looked back at Adrian.

"And you walked right through my front door, carrying the exact paperwork I needed to prove you orchestrated the entire thing."

Adrian’s hands began to shake. He looked down at the guardianship papers. They weren't a shield anymore. They were a confession.

"You don't have proof I cut the brakes," Adrian stammered, stepping backward. "You can't prove it!"

"I don't need to prove it to a judge," Luca said softly. "I'm not the police, Adrian."

The reality of his situation suddenly crashed down on Adrian.

He was standing in the master bedroom of the Chicago mafia boss. His security was outside. The gates were locked.

In a sudden, desperate movement, Adrian dropped the papers.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small, black handgun.

Eleanor screamed, turning away and shielding the baby with her entire body. I slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle my own scream, pressing myself harder into the shadows of the hallway.

Adrian didn't aim the gun at Luca.

He spun around and grabbed Vanessa by the arm, jerking her violently against his chest and pressing the barrel of the gun against her temple.

"Let me walk out of here, Luca!" Adrian shouted, his chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. "Tell Marco to open the gates, or I swear to God I'll blow her brains out!"

Vanessa shrieked, clawing frantically at her brother’s arm. "Adrian! No! Please! I'm your sister!"

"Shut up!" Adrian screamed, digging the gun harder into her head. He locked eyes with Luca. "I'll kill her, Luca! I know you love her! Let me go!"

Luca stood perfectly still.

He looked at Vanessa, crying and begging for her life, held hostage by her own flesh and blood.

Then, Luca reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a small, velvet ring box.

He flipped it open. Inside rested a massive, flawless diamond engagement ring. The ring he had given Vanessa six months ago. She had taken it off to wash her hands before dinner.