Chapter 3
Mara left the hospital the next afternoon.
Not for Massimo’s estate.
She went to a townhouse she and Adrian owned near Lincoln Park.
Rebecca arranged temporary security because Mara requested it.
Massimo wanted twelve men.
Mara accepted two.
He survived the disappointment.
That evening, Mara opened the fertility records with Rebecca beside her.
Massimo was not there.
Mara called him afterward.
“There are things in here I don’t understand.”
He immediately wanted to drive over.
She said no.
“I’m not asking you to fix it.”
Massimo stopped.
“What are you asking?”
“To listen.”
So he did.
Lakeview Reproductive Medicine had treated Mara and Adrian for infertility for eleven months before the pregnancy.
The records contained hormone testing, imaging, laboratory work, and several male-fertility evaluations.
One document surprised Mara.
A consultation had been scheduled for Adrian alone.
She had never known.
Date:
Six weeks before the successful conception cycle.
“What kind of consultation?” Massimo asked.
“The diagnosis is redacted in the copy they gave me because Adrian hasn’t authorized release of his separate medical records.”
That was appropriate.
Frustrating.
Appropriate.
Mara continued.
“There’s another thing.”
The successful treatment cycle contained a line item she did not remember discussing:
Special specimen processing — third-party handling fee.
“What does that mean?”
“The clinic won’t explain until counsel sorts out what belongs to my record and what belongs to his.”
Massimo heard the anger in her voice.
“Do you want me to push them?”
“No.”
He closed his eyes.
“Fine.”
Mara almost laughed.
“You’re terrible at that word.”
“I’m practicing.”
The next morning, Adrian filed for legal separation.
That was not surprising.
The attached statement was.
His filing asserted that “serious questions concerning paternity” had recently arisen and that he required independent confirmation after birth.
Mara stared at Rebecca.
“Recently?”
Rebecca nodded.
“He ordered a prenatal test five months ago.”
“So he’s lying.”
“His lawyers may argue that he had private concerns but only recently considered them legally significant.”
Mara looked disgusted.
Then Adrian requested temporary preservation of certain marital assets.
That sounded defensive.
Until Rebecca examined what he wanted preserved.
A $9 million investment account jointly controlled by Mara and Adrian.
Two hotel-development interests.
And the favorable credit terms Holt Development received through a Valenti-affiliated private lender.
Adrian’s lawyers argued Massimo should not be permitted to retaliate financially over a private marital dispute.
Massimo hated the accusation because it was strategically smart.
If he immediately canceled every business relationship with Adrian, Adrian could portray ordinary credit decisions as vengeance.
Claire told Massimo exactly that.
“So I do nothing?”
“No.”
“What do I do?”
“You separate family rage from commercial process.”
The Valenti lender appointed an independent credit committee to review Holt Development’s loans.
Massimo recused himself.
That surprised Adrian.
It also removed one of his best arguments.
Then the forensic review found that Adrian had been quietly moving personal assets for months.
Not stealing from Mara.
Repositioning his own money.
Selling one minority investment.
Moving cash into a separate account.
Paying down a private debt.
Preparing for divorce.
The earliest transfer occurred one week after the prenatal paternity test result.
Massimo stared at the date.
Adrian had received the exclusion result.
Then immediately started preparing an exit.
May you like
But he stayed married to Mara for five more months.
Something about the paternity result had changed his plan long before Sienna became publicly visible.
