Chapter 3 - What Nia Had Been Told.
Riverside Café opened at seven, but at nine the back corner was still almost empty.
Nia chose a table where she could see both the front door and the street.
Luca noticed that before he noticed the untouched coffee in front of her.
She had spent years learning how not to be surprised.
Luca arrived alone as requested.
He placed his phone on the table, screen down, and did not sit until Nia nodded.
I found the device request.
Nia's face did not change.
I didn't come here to talk about your company paperwork.
I came because my children saw you last night, and now they have questions.
Our children?
Nia's eyes sharpened.
Don't call them that yet.
Luca lowered his voice.
Then tell me I'm wrong.
Nia looked through the window for several seconds.
Their names are Noah and Lily.
They were born six years and two months ago.
Luca calculated automatically.
Nia saw him doing it.
Yes.
She said the word before he could finish.
The timing matches.
Luca gripped the edge of the table.
Did you know for certain?
I knew you were the only possible father.
Why didn't you come to me?
Nia laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
I did.
She opened a folder and placed copies of old letters on the table.
Every page was addressed to Luca.
Some had been sent certified mail to his office.
Others had been sent to his apartment.
Two envelopes had been returned with a stamped notice saying delivery was refused.
Luca picked up one envelope and saw his own office address typed across the front.
I never saw these.
I know that now.
Nia pushed another sheet toward him.
It was a bank transfer statement showing a large payment from a Moretti family trust into an account Nia had closed years ago.
I sent it back.
Luca stared at the amount.
Why would my family send you this?
Because your mother came to see me.
Luca stopped breathing for a moment.
When?
Four days after I got the message.
Nia folded her hands tightly in front of her.
She knew I was pregnant.
She knew how far along I was.
She knew the name of my doctor.
Luca's face hardened.
What did she say?
Nia met his eyes.
She said you had told her to handle it because you couldn't face me.
She said you were already discussing a marriage that would help the company.
She said if I cared about you, I would stop trying to pull you into a life you did not want.
Luca looked away because the room had suddenly become too small.
Nia continued in the same steady voice.
I told her I didn't want money.
I told her I wanted you to tell me to my face.
She said you had already said enough.
Luca's jaw tightened.
Why didn't you contact my father?
I tried.
Another page slid across the table.
It was an email sent to Luca's father, Victor Moretti, from an address Nia had used in college.
The message asked for ten minutes and said the matter concerned Luca and a pregnancy.
The reply came from Victor's assistant.
Mr. Moretti considers this matter resolved and requests that you stop contacting the family.
Luca read it twice.
My father would never write like that.
Maybe he didn't.
Nia's voice softened for the first time.
Luca, I spent months trying to reach you through people I thought I could trust.
Every door closed.
Then Noah was born with breathing problems and Lily arrived minutes later, and I had two babies who needed me more than I needed an explanation.
Luca swallowed hard.
Were they okay?
They are now.
The answer hurt more than anger would have.
Luca had missed every first word, every birthday, every fever, every school morning, and every small triumph because someone had decided he should never know.
He forced himself to ask the question that mattered next.
Will you let me take a paternity test?
Nia looked down at the folder.
I already have a clinic appointment tomorrow.
Luca stared at her.
You planned that before this meeting?
I planned it at three this morning.
She stood and gathered the papers.
There is one more thing you need to know before we do it.
Luca remained seated.
What?
Nia paused beside the table.
Your mother called me last night.
Luca's expression changed.
May you like
Nia tightened her grip on the folder.
She told me to keep the children away from you.
