Chapter 1
Lorenzo did not ask the question again.
Not while Sofia was crying.
Not while three newborns were screaming.
Not while Nurse Claire was trying to restore order inside a maternity suite that had stopped feeling like a hospital room and started feeling like a crime scene.
“Everyone except medical staff out.”
Julian stared at him.
“You don’t give orders here.”
Nurse Claire stepped between them.
“Actually, right now I do.”
That ended it.
Hospital security arrived less than a minute later.
Julian, Victor, Bianca, Lorenzo, and both bodyguards were moved into separate areas while the babies remained with Sofia and the nursing team.
Lorenzo went willingly.
He hated it.
He went anyway.
The last thing Sofia needed was her father turning hospital security into another confrontation she had to manage from a bed.
Forty minutes later, Lorenzo was allowed back.
Sofia sat upright against pillows.
All three bassinets were beside her.
One baby slept.
One made tiny irritated noises.
The third was feeding.
Sofia looked exhausted enough to disappear into the sheets.
Lorenzo moved toward her.
She reached for him before he could speak.
“Dad.”
He took her hand.
“I’m here.”
“They were taking Miles.”
That was the baby Victor had lifted.
Miles Mercer Ravelli.
Six pounds, two ounces.
Born second.
His brother Henry had arrived first.
Their sister Ava arrived six minutes later.
Lorenzo looked at all three.
Then at Sofia.
“What happened before Claire called me?”
Sofia swallowed.
“Julian said Bianca was taking Miles home tonight.”
Lorenzo’s expression changed.
“Home where?”
“Her apartment.”
“Why?”
“He said I couldn’t handle three.”
“You gave permission?”
“No.”
“Did you sign anything?”
“No.”
She hesitated.
“At least I don’t think I did.”
That answer bothered him.
Sofia noticed.
“I’ve been here four days. They keep bringing papers.”
“Who?”
“Julian. Victor. Once Bianca.”
“What papers?”
“Help agreements. Infant-care schedules. Something about temporary medical authority.”
Lorenzo looked toward Nurse Claire.
She was standing near the doorway.
“How much do you know?”
Claire answered carefully.
“I know Mr. Mercer repeatedly told staff the family had arranged private support after discharge.”
“Did Sofia confirm that?”
“No.”
“Did anyone ask?”
“I did.”
Sofia looked at Claire.
“She’s the reason you’re here.”
Claire explained.
An hour earlier, Julian had asked whether one infant could be discharged separately to a relative if the mother remained hospitalized.
Claire told him no—not without appropriate medical discharge and lawful parental authorization.
Victor then asked whether a temporary caregiver form would be sufficient.
Again, Claire said no.
Fifteen minutes later, Claire entered the room and found Sofia’s call button on the visitor sofa.
Julian claimed it had fallen.
Claire put it back beside Sofia.
Ten minutes later, it was out of reach again.
That was when she called hospital security.
Then Lorenzo.
Sofia looked at Julian’s empty chair.
“He moved it on purpose.”
Claire said nothing.
She did not need to.
Lorenzo’s eyes moved toward the bassinets.
The family had been talking as though one newborn was already assigned somewhere else.
Then he remembered his question in the lounge.
Who was waiting downstairs for him?
Claire answered before he asked again.
“There was a woman in the lobby with an infant car seat.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“She said she was a private newborn nurse.”
“For Bianca?”
Claire nodded.
“She said she was supposed to take over care of one of the triplets tonight.”
May you like
That was the first proof that Victor’s words had not been an angry improvisation.
Someone downstairs had come prepared to leave the hospital with Miles.
