Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH|
Dr. Priya Shaw arrived at the clinic just after midnight.
She was visibly shaken, carrying a leather medical bag and wearing the same navy coat Catherine remembered from her appointment that morning.
"I should have called you," she said.
Catherine stood.
"What happened?"
"Someone requested your records using a court order. The document appeared legitimate, but the authorization number was wrong."
"Who requested them?"
"An attorney representing a company called Arden Strategic."
Gabriel exchanged a look with Catherine.
"Did you give them anything?"
"No. I refused. But someone entered the records room after I left."
Catherine's stomach tightened.
"Did they see the ultrasound?"
"I don't know."
"Could they have copied it?"
"Possibly."
Catherine sat down.
The baby had existed as a private miracle for less than twelve hours before powerful people began treating it like a business asset.
"Why would anyone care about my pregnancy?" she asked.
Dr. Shaw looked toward Gabriel.
"Because the Balori family has no direct heir other than Matteo. If he has a child, the inheritance structure changes."
Catherine gave a bitter laugh.
"There's the answer. Money."
"Not only money," Gabriel said. "Control."
He explained that Matteo's late father had placed a significant portion of the family holdings in a trust. The trust would remain under the management of senior relatives until an heir reached adulthood. However, a clause allowed a direct descendant's guardian to challenge certain management decisions.
Catherine listened carefully.
"If I have a child, I could challenge Enzo's control."
"If the child is recognized under the trust, yes."
"And Celeste?"
"Her company has been negotiating for a controlling interest in the waterfront development. If Enzo secures the vote tonight, he can move the remaining assets into a new holding company."
Catherine remembered the ledger.
"And then he can hide the money."
"Or use the properties to settle debts no one is supposed to know exist."
Dr. Shaw sat beside Catherine.
"I am not going to pretend I understand the business side. But I need you to understand something medical. Your previous losses mean we must monitor this pregnancy closely. Stress will not automatically cause a miscarriage, but you need proper care, rest, and support."
Catherine pressed her palm to her abdomen.
"I can handle stress."
"You shouldn't have to prove that by handling everything alone."
The kindness in the doctor's voice nearly undid her.
For years, Catherine had tried to be the perfect wife because she believed stability might eventually become affection. She had hidden her loneliness behind schedules, charitable appearances, and carefully prepared meals.
Now she was being told that the one thing she could not afford was another season of pretending she was fine.
Gabriel arranged for Dr. Shaw to transfer Catherine's care to an independent hospital.
Before leaving, the doctor gave her a small envelope.
"I found this in the medical records room. It was addressed to you."
Inside was a photograph of a newborn baby wrapped in a yellow blanket.
On the back, someone had written:
THE FIRST MERCER CHILD NEVER MADE IT HOME.
Catherine stared at it.
"Who is this?"
Gabriel took the photograph, studying the hospital stamp.
"Saint Catherine's Medical Center. Twenty-six years ago."
"My husband's father died before Matteo was born?"
"No. Daniel Mercer lived another twelve years."
Catherine turned the photograph over again.
There was a name beneath the message.
Rose Mercer.
Matteo's mother.
"Why would someone send me a photograph of his mother holding a baby?"
Gabriel looked at the date.
"Because Rose had another child before Matteo."
Catherine felt cold.
"An older sibling?"
"That's what the records suggest."
"Where is that child now?"
Gabriel's phone buzzed.
He read the message and slowly lifted his eyes.
"Missing. Officially presumed dead."
Catherine looked at the baby in the photograph.
For the first time that night, she wondered whether the conspiracy surrounding her unborn child had begun long before her own marriage.
May you like
Then Gabriel showed her the last line of the message.
ASK MATTEO WHY HIS FATHER CHANGED THE WILL THE DAY THE BABY DISAPPEARED.
