Marco strode through the hospital hallways, his heavy footsteps echoing against the pristine white floors.
His chest was tight, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
Luca was finally awake. The truth would come out now. He pushed open the door to Luca’s private room, his eyes instantly locking onto his best friend.
Luca looked weak, pale, still attached to IV drips and heart monitors. Bruises covered his face and arms, and there was a fresh scar near his temple.
But his eyes—his sharp, knowing eyes—were alert.
Aware. And filled with something Marco hadn’t seen in weeks. Urgency.
Marco stepped closer, grabbing a chair and pulling it beside the bed. He reached for Luca’s bandaged hand, gripping it tightly.
“Who did this to you?” Marco asked, his voice low, demanding.
Luca took a shaky breath, his fingers twitching under Marco’s grip.
His throat moved as he swallowed, and for a second, it looked like he was about to speak—
Then—
Marco’s phone buzzed. Loud. Abrupt. Urgent. He cursed under his breath, pulling it out and swiping to answer.
“What?” he barked.
A guard’s voice came through the line, sounding tense.
“Boss, Carmen is here.”
Marco’s eyes darkened.
“What the f**k do you mean she’s there?” he growled. “Keep her there until I’m back. Don’t let her go anywhere!”
“She’s looking for Matteo,” the guard continued. “She’s demanding to see him.”
Marco’s jaw clenched. “Matteo is at home with his nanny,” he said, his fingers tightening around the phone.
A pause. Then—
“No, sir,” the guard said, his voice dropping.
“Matteo is not here. He left with the nanny. The nanny said you have them permission.”
Marco’s blood ran cold. His entire body locked up, his grip on the phone turning deadly.
“What the f**k did you just say?” he hissed. Luca’s breathing grew heavy, his fingers twitching again. He didn’t give Ella permission to go anywhere.
Marco felt his gaze on him. Luca spoke. His voice was raspy, hoarse, barely above a whisper.
“It was always the nanny,” he said.
Marco’s heart stopped.
Luca’s tired, bruised eyes locked onto his. “She’s been playing you from the start.”
Marco’s pulse roared in his ears. Matteo was gone.
Ella—the woman he had trusted, the woman he had defended—
Had taken his son.