Chapter 1 – THE MAN SHE NEVER CHOSE

“No, Mom.”

Luca Moretti’s answer came so quickly that Teresa barely had time to finish her question.

“I never promised another man you would go live with him.”

His seventy-eight-year-old mother stood motionless beside the sitting-room fireplace.

The gold bracelet Antonio had given her on their fortieth wedding anniversary trembled between her fingers.

“But Vanessa said—”

“I know what Vanessa said.”

Luca lowered himself in front of her.

His black suit jacket pulled tight across his shoulders as he took both her hands.

“Look at me, Mom.”

She slowly raised her eyes.

“Have I ever asked you to leave your home?”

Teresa shook her head.

“Then why would I start now?”

Her lips began trembling.

“Because you’re getting married.”

Luca stared at her.

For several seconds, I thought he hadn’t heard.

Then he asked quietly, “Who made you think getting married meant I wouldn’t need you anymore?”

Teresa looked toward the doorway.

I knew exactly whose name she was afraid to say.

My name is Emily Parker, and I’d worked at the Moretti estate long enough to recognize the difference between Luca’s anger and his heartbreak.

That night, I saw both.

“Mom,” he said, “tell me about this gentleman.”

Teresa swallowed.

“His name is Edward Hale.”

Luca’s expression tightened.

“Do you know him?”

“Have you ever met him?”

She shook her head.

“Vanessa showed me his photograph. She said he was seventy-seven. His wife died several years ago.”

“And?”

“He lives in a beautiful house near Lake Forest.”

Luca glanced at me.

I could see him trying to understand.

Teresa looked down at her bracelet.

“She said he wanted someone to share his remaining years.”

Luca’s jaw tightened.

“Did you tell her you wanted that?”

“No, sweetheart.”

“Then what happened?”

Teresa reached for her severed silver braid.

The faded blue ribbon was still tied around its end.

“She told me you were worried about me being alone after the wedding.”

Luca closed his eyes briefly.

“And that you couldn’t keep looking after me.”

Something changed in his face.

“Mom, you have never been a burden to me.”

Teresa gave a small, painful smile.

“That’s what mothers are supposed to hear.”

He squeezed her hands.

“That’s what you deserve to know.”

Daniel appeared in the doorway.

“Mr. Moretti?”

Luca turned.

“Yes?”

“Miss Bellini is still gathering her belongings. Her driver hasn’t arrived.”

“Ask her to come here.”

Daniel hesitated.

“Sir, you told me—”

“I know. I still want her to leave.”

Luca looked toward his mother.

“But first, she’s going to explain why my mother thinks I’ve arranged another marriage for her.”

Five minutes later, Vanessa entered.

She still wore her red satin engagement gown.

Her diamond earrings glittered beneath the chandelier.

But her confidence had changed.

She stopped when she saw Teresa sitting beside Luca.

“What now?”

Luca remained standing.

“Who is Edward Hale?”

Vanessa blinked.

Then she exhaled.

“Oh, honestly. Is that what this is about?”

“Answer me.”

“He’s a widower. A friend of my mother’s family.”

“And why does my mother believe she’s moving into his house on Monday?”

Vanessa looked toward Teresa.

“Because we discussed the possibility of a visit.”

Teresa flinched.

“You said I was going there to stay.”

Vanessa frowned.

“I said you might enjoy some companionship.”

Luca stepped closer.

“Did you tell her I’d already agreed?”

Vanessa hesitated.

Then she folded her arms.

“You told me you wanted your mother to have a life outside this house.”

I watched Luca’s expression change.

“I said she might enjoy meeting people her own age.”

“Exactly.”

“That isn’t permission to arrange her future.”

Vanessa looked frustrated.

“Luca, you travel constantly. Teresa spends most of her days sitting upstairs with photographs of your father.”

Teresa lowered her head.

Vanessa continued.

“Someone needed to think about what happens after we’re married.”

Luca spoke very quietly.

“Someone did.”

Vanessa stopped.

“My mother.”

He turned toward Teresa.

“Mom, what do you want?”

Her fingers moved over Antonio’s bracelet.

“I want to stay where I remember your father.”

Luca nodded.

“Then that’s where you’re staying.”

For the first time that evening, I saw Teresa breathe without struggling.

But Vanessa wasn’t finished.

“You’re making promises without thinking about the practical side.”

Luca looked back at her.

“What practical side?”

“The wedding. Our privacy. Your mother’s increasing needs.”

Teresa’s shoulders tightened.

I stepped forward.

“Mrs. Moretti manages her own day perfectly well.”

Vanessa turned sharply.

“Nobody asked you, Emily.”

Luca raised one hand.

“I did.”

The room fell silent.

He looked at me.

“Has my mother ever told you she wanted to leave?”

“No, sir.”

“Has she mentioned Edward Hale?”

“Not until tonight.”

Vanessa gave a bitter laugh.

“Of course the maid is going to take her side.”

I felt heat rising into my cheeks.

But before I could answer, Teresa spoke.

“Emily tried to help me.”

Her voice was quiet.

“She told me not to cut my hair unless I wanted to.”

Vanessa looked away.

Teresa continued.

“And she told me Luca would never be ashamed of me.”

Luca turned toward me.

“Thank you, Emily.”

Two ordinary words.

But after months of watching my job threatened whenever I defended his mother, I nearly cried.

Daniel moved toward Vanessa.

“Miss Bellini, your driver is ready.”

She looked at Luca.

“So that’s it?”

“Yes.”

“You’re choosing your mother over our future?”

Luca’s answer was immediate.

“A future that requires me to abandon my mother isn’t one I want.”

Vanessa stared at him.

Then she turned and walked toward the doorway.

Daniel followed.

I thought the worst part of the evening was finally over.

I was wrong.

Teresa suddenly caught Luca’s sleeve.

“Sweetheart?”

He turned back.

“Yes, Mom?”

“There’s something else.”

Her eyes filled again.

“Vanessa said I shouldn’t take too many things with me.”

Luca frowned.

“Take where?”

“To Mr. Hale’s house.”

My stomach tightened.

Teresa swallowed.

“She said it would be easier if I started over with only what I needed.”

Luca went completely still.

“Mom, what things?”

Teresa looked toward me.

Then whispered, “Emily helped me choose what I was allowed to keep.”

I shook my head.

“Mrs. Moretti, I didn’t know that was why—”

“It’s all right, sweetheart.”

She turned back to her son.

“I didn’t want to make trouble.”

Luca’s voice changed.

“Mom, what have you done?”

She looked down at the silver braid in her lap.

Then said the words that made him turn toward the staircase.

“I’ve already packed my suitcase.”