Carmen sat across from Marco in the living room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Neither of them had spoken in the past few minutes.
The DNA results were clear—Matteo was their son.
But…
Why did it still feel like something was wrong?
Carmen swallowed hard, her voice breaking the silence.
“I think we should put Matteo in therapy.”
Marco looked at her, his expression unreadable.
“Therapy?”
“Yes,” Carmen nodded. “After everything he’s been through—being kidnapped, being brainwashed, being away from us for weeks—Marco, it’s too much for a child. He needs help.”
Marco sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I don’t disagree,” he said, his voice tired. “But will he even talk?”
“We have to try,” Carmen insisted. “He’s still a little boy. We need to help him before it’s too late.”
Marco met her gaze for a long moment, then finally nodded.
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s find the best therapist we can.”
Carmen spent hours researching. She didn’t want just any therapist. She needed someone who understood childhood trauma. Someone patient. Someone gentle.
Finally, after speaking to multiple specialists, they found Dr. Evelyn Carter.
She was in her mid-forties, warm but firm, and had years of experience working with children who had gone through severe trauma.
Carmen and Marco agreed—she was the right choice.
The next day, Dr. Carter arrived at the estate.
Dr. Carter smiled warmly as she sat down in the playroom with Matteo.
The walls were painted soft blue, shelves filled with books, plush toys, and cars neatly arranged in bins.
There were hidden cameras installed so Marco and Carmen could watch the session unfold from the office.
Marco had set up a screen, his arms folded as he watched the monitor closely.
Carmen sat beside him, her hands trembling slightly.
“I hope this helps,” she whispered.
Marco didn’t respond.
He just stared at the screen.
Inside the playroom, Dr. Carter sat on the soft rug, her voice gentle, patient.
“Hi, Matteo,” she said warmly. “Do you know why I’m here?”
Matteo sat across from her, clutching his favorite stuffed bear.
He blinked at her.
“Because Mama and Papa said so?”
Dr. Carter smiled.
“That’s right. They care about you very much, and they want to make sure you’re happy.”
Matteo tilted his head.
“I am happy.”
Dr. Carter studied him for a moment, then reached into her bag and pulled out a box of crayons and paper.
“Do you like drawing?”
Matteo’s face lit up.
“Yes!”
She handed him a sheet of paper.
“Can you draw me a picture of your family?”
Matteo immediately got to work, humming softly as he colored. Carmen leaned forward in her chair, watching carefully. After a few minutes, Dr. Carter gently asked,
“Who is in your family?”
Matteo smiled, still drawing.
“Mama, Papa, and me!”
Dr. Carter nodded.
“That’s wonderful. And what about the nanny? The one who took care of you?”
Matteo paused.
His small fingers tightened around the crayon.
“Nanny?”
Dr. Carter’s voice remained soft.
“Yes. What was her name?”
Matteo’s smile faded slightly.
“Ella.”
Carmen felt her stomach twist.
“And did you like staying with Ella?” Dr. Carter asked.
Matteo hesitated, then gave a small nod.
“She took care of me.”
“Did she ever make you feel scared?”
Matteo blinked, as if confused by the question.
“No.”
“Did she tell you secrets?”
Matteo’s small hands stopped moving.
Carmen held her breath. Marco’s grip tightened around his arms. Matteo stared at the paper for a long moment. Then, he shrugged.
“Secrets are important.”
Dr. Carter’s eyes darkened just slightly.
“That’s what she told you?”
Matteo nodded.
“Yes.”
“What kind of secrets?”
Matteo frowned, as if thinking hard.
Then, he shrugged again.
“I don’t know.”
Dr. Carter decided to change tactics.
“Can I see your drawing, sweetheart?”
Matteo held it up. Carmen felt her breath hitch.
It was a childlike drawing of three figures—her, Marco, and Matteo. But there was something else. In the background, far away from them, was a fourth figure.
A tall figure dressed in all black. With a smiley face. Carmen’s heart stopped.
Dr. Carter’s voice was calm, careful.
“Who is that, Matteo?”
Matteo stared at the drawing.
Then, he grinned. “That’s my friend.”
Marco and Carmen exchanged a terrified glance.
Dr. Carter pressed gently, “What’s your friend’s name?”
Matteo tilted his head.
Then, with a soft giggle, he whispered—
“You already know.”
Carmen felt sick. Marco’s hands tightened into fists.
Dr. Carter gave Matteo an easy smile.
“Do you see your friend a lot?”
Matteo nodded eagerly.
“He’s always with me.”
Carmen froze.
Dr. Carter carefully placed a hand on Matteo’s paper.
“Can you tell me when you first met your friend?”
Matteo looked up at her.
Then, in a voice so soft, so chilling, he said—
“When Mama and Papa left me behind.”
A cold silence settled in the room. Carmen’s vision blurred. Marco’s breath was sharp.
Matteo smiled.
“He was there when you weren’t.”
Carmen’s chest ached.
Dr. Carter gently set the drawing aside, her expression unreadable.
“Matteo,” she said softly. “Can you tell me what your friend looks like?”
Matteo blinked, tilting his head.
Then, with a small, innocent laugh, he whispered—
“He looks like me.”
Carmen’s entire body went cold.
Marco’s fists tightened. Luca, standing in the doorway, let out a quiet curse.
Dr. Carter’s voice remained calm.
“And does he talk to you?”
Matteo nodded.
“All the time.”
Dr. Carter hesitated.
“And what does he say?”
Matteo smiled wider. “That I don’t belong here.”