“The Gala Comes First,” Mafia Boss Insisted—His Pregnant Wife Cost Him More Than a Vote

Dr. Shaw met Catherine at the clinic the following morning.

The doctor looked exhausted but composed. She had brought printed copies of the records request and a statement from the hospital's compliance officer.

"Someone submitted a document claiming Matteo had authorized Enzo to make medical decisions for you," she explained.

Catherine stared at the paper.

"That's impossible."

"We rejected the request. But the document was accompanied by a letter alleging that your pregnancy made you emotionally unstable and unable to manage your own affairs."

Catherine felt anger rising through her chest.

"Who wrote it?"

"The signature belongs to a lawyer employed by the Balori Foundation."

Matteo stood beside the window, his face hardening.

"I'll have the lawyer arrested."

"No," Catherine said.

He turned.

She took the document from Dr. Shaw.

"We'll give this to Agent Lawson. We will not threaten anyone, and we will not make the investigation harder by turning it into a private war."

Matteo hesitated.

Then he nodded.

"You're right."

Dr. Shaw smiled faintly.

"That may be the first time I've seen a patient manage a family crisis more responsibly than the people involved in it."

Catherine almost laughed.

After the appointment, Matteo walked beside her through the hospital corridor. He did not touch her unless she reached for him.

Outside, rain fell over the parking lot.

"I want to ask you something," he said.

"Go ahead."

"If the baby is a girl, would you still want her to carry my family name?"

Catherine considered the question.

"I want her to have the freedom to decide what that name means. I don't want her to inherit a prison disguised as a legacy."

Matteo looked down.

"Neither do I."

They reached the car.

Before Catherine could climb inside, a woman called from the entrance.

"Mrs. Balori?"

Celeste stood beneath the awning, wearing a plain coat and no makeup. Her hands were visible, and she carried no purse.

Matteo moved in front of Catherine.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to surrender."

He stared at her.

"To whom?"

Celeste looked at Catherine.

"To the police. I have the original contracts, the emails, and the recordings of Enzo's conversations with the people who arranged the warehouse fire."

"Why now?" Catherine asked.

"Because I found out he intends to take control of the baby through the trust."

Matteo's expression turned dangerous.

"You will never get near my child."

"I don't want to."

Celeste swallowed.

"I want to make sure he doesn't get near yours."

She handed Catherine a sealed envelope.

Inside was a legal document establishing that Enzo had attempted to create a guardianship arrangement before the child was born. The document was unsigned, but it contained notes from a private attorney and a list of medical facilities Enzo had contacted.

One line had been highlighted.

If Catherine is incapacitated, the family trustee may petition for temporary custody of the unborn child's interests.

Catherine looked up.

"He planned to have me declared unfit."

"Yes," Celeste said.

Matteo's hands curled into fists.

"Why would he do that?"

"Because if the child becomes an heir, Enzo loses control of the trust. If the child can be separated from you, he believes he can control the inheritance through a court-appointed guardian."

Catherine felt suddenly sick.

For months, she had thought the greatest threat to her pregnancy was the possibility of another loss.

Now she understood that people were treating her unborn child as a prize to be claimed.

Agent Lawson arrived minutes later and took Celeste into custody.

Before entering the vehicle, Celeste turned back.

"I know you hate me."

Catherine's voice was quiet.

"I don't have the energy to hate you."

"Will you ever forgive me?"

"No."

Celeste flinched.

Catherine continued.