Chapter 4 - THE HOME HE NEVER APPROVED
"You're taking our baby to your mother's house?"
Luca looked at Vanessa.
She stood with one hand over her stomach.
"For a little while."
"How long is a little while?"
Vanessa glanced at Evelyn.
"Six weeks. Possibly longer."
Luca drew a slow breath.
"Vanessa, I wouldn't object to you having help after the birth. Why haven't we talked about this?"
"Because you always assume we'll be living here."
"This is our home."
"It's your home, Luca."
The distinction landed heavily.
Teresa looked up.
"Vanessa, sweetheart, I've always wanted you to feel welcome."
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"I know you mean well, Teresa. But the house belonged to your family long before I arrived."
Luca pulled out a chair.
"Sit down, Vanessa."
"I'm fine."
"Please."
She hesitated, then sat.
Luca took the chair opposite her.
"Tell me what would make you comfortable."
Evelyn leaned forward.
"I've prepared the downstairs bedroom at my house. Vanessa won't have to manage stairs. I'll help with meals, laundry, and the baby's routine."
"That sounds thoughtful," Luca said.
Evelyn looked relieved.
"Then we understand each other."
"Not yet."
He looked at Vanessa.
"Why were you afraid to tell me?"
She rubbed her forehead.
"Because every time we discuss the baby, you talk about bringing it home to this mansion. And your mother talks about all the things she wants to do."
Teresa lowered her head.
Luca spoke gently.
"Mom, none of this means you did anything wrong."
Then he turned back.
"Vanessa, I want you to feel safe. I also want us to make these decisions together."
Evelyn sighed.
"You're overlooking something. Vanessa will be the one recovering from childbirth."
"I'm not overlooking it."
Luca's expression remained calm.
"She's entitled to decide what support she wants. I'm not demanding she recover here. I'm asking why she's been telling my mother she'll have to disappear from the baby's life."
Evelyn looked away.
That was when I noticed the little yellow sweater lying beside Teresa's plate.
One sleeve was still badly stretched.
The wool had been pulled through several stitches.
I wanted to take it away before Teresa looked at it again.
But she kept touching it.
As though she was afraid that if she let go, the last thing she'd made for her grandchild would disappear.
"Mrs. Moretti," I whispered, "I can mend that."
She gave a sad smile.
"I know, Emily."
"Let me try."
She shook her head.
"Not yet, sweetheart."
Luca noticed us.
"What is it?"
Teresa hesitated.
"Nothing important."
He looked at the sweater.
"Mom, it's important."
Her eyes filled.
She gently laid it beside him.
"I'd hoped to put it in the nursery."
Vanessa went still.
Luca looked up.
"Why wouldn't you?"
Teresa's face turned pink.
"Vanessa said there wouldn't be a place for it."
Luca frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Vanessa sighed.
"It means we've already ordered the baby's clothes."
Luca shook his head.
"A handmade sweater doesn't need its own room."
"You're missing the point."
"Then help me understand it."
Vanessa stared at him.
"Your mother keeps bringing things into the nursery without asking me."
Teresa immediately protested.
"I haven't put anything there."
Luca turned toward her.
"Mom?"
"I asked whether Vanessa would like Antonio's old rocking chair. She said no. So I left it alone."
Mrs. Carter, the senior housekeeper, approached quietly.
"Mr. Moretti, may I clarify something?"
Luca nodded.
"Please."
"The nursery hasn't been prepared as you requested."
He looked surprised.
"What?"
Mrs. Carter clasped her hands.
"Mrs. Bellini asked me to suspend the decorating arrangements."
"When?"
"Almost three weeks ago."
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Luca stared at her.
"Three weeks?"
"I didn't want us spending money on a room we might not use immediately."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I knew you'd react like this."
He leaned back.
"Like what?"
"Like I've done something terrible by wanting to recover somewhere else."
Luca shook his head.
"That's not what I'm upset about."
"Then what?"
"That you decided it without talking to me, and somehow made my mother feel like the obstacle."
For a moment, Vanessa looked as though she might answer honestly.
Then Evelyn interrupted.
"Luca, I think you need to consider what it means for a pregnant woman to live in this house."
He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Evelyn looked toward the two security men standing near the dining-room entrance.
"Your guards. Your business meetings. Men arriving at all hours."
Luca's expression changed.
"Those arrangements have been in place for years."
"Exactly."
Evelyn lowered her voice.
"You're accustomed to them. Vanessa isn't."
I looked at Vanessa.
She had gone very pale.
It was the first time I'd seen anyone mention Luca's world without treating it as something impressive.
Luca was feared throughout Chicago.
His name opened doors that remained closed to other men.
But a frightened pregnant woman didn't necessarily find that reassuring.
He looked at Vanessa.
"Is that what this is about?"
She didn't answer.
"Are you afraid to bring our child here?"
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"It's complicated."
"Then tell me."
She looked toward the guards.
Then toward Teresa.
Finally, she whispered, "I don't want to talk about it in front of everyone."
Luca glanced around the table.
For the first time, he seemed to recognize how much of their private life had become dinner entertainment.
He stood.
"Everyone, please excuse us. There are family matters we need to resolve."
The guests began rising quietly.
He thanked them individually as they passed, while Mrs. Carter arranged for coats and cars.
Evelyn remained seated.
So did Teresa.
I began gathering the dessert plates.
But Luca stopped me.
"Emily, would you stay?"
I nodded.
"Yes, sir."
When the last guest had left, Vanessa finally spoke.
"You remember the appointment at the doctor's office last month?"
Luca frowned.
"The one I missed because of my meeting?"
She nodded.
"I came home crying."
"I remember."
"You asked whether something was wrong with the baby."
"Yes."
"And I told you everything was fine."
Luca leaned forward.
"Was it?"
Vanessa nodded quickly.
"The baby's fine."
"Then what happened?"
She looked toward the security men.
May you like
Her voice trembled.
"I found out that day how frightened I was of your world. And I realized I didn't know how to tell you I didn't want our child growing up in it."
