Chapter 4 - the shadow over the estate
By six o'clock the following morning, a heavy fog rolled off Lake Michigan, wrapping the Moretti estate in a cool, damp mist.
Inside the grand kitchen, Giulia stood near the stove, stirring a pot of warm oatmeal for her four-year-old daughter. Mia sat at the wooden island table, happily coloring a picture with crayons while her cloth doll rested beside her bowl.
The kitchen door opened sharply, and Valentina walked inside. She wore an elegant dark silk robe, her styled blonde-brown hair immaculate, her diamond earrings glinting under the overhead lights.
Valentina stepped up to the kitchen island, looking down at Giulia with cold, condescending arrogance.
"Giulia," Valentina said, her voice dripping with sharp authority. "I noticed you were speaking to my brother in the hallway late last night."
Giulia set her spoon down, wiping her hands on her white maid apron, her posture defensive. "Mr. Moretti was asking about the guest room keys, Ms. Valentina."
Valentina leaned across the island counter, her eyes narrowing into twin points of icy warning. "You are a housekeeper in this mansion, Giulia. You clean the floors and you look after your child. If I catch you poking your nose into family matters again, I will have your employment terminated and throw you out onto the street before noon."
Mia looked up from her coloring book, her small brow furrowing as she reached out to grab her mother's apron. "Don't yell at my mommy."
Valentina sneered at the four-year-old child. "Teach your daughter some manners, Giulia, or I will—"
"Or you will do what, Valentina?" a deep, thunderous voice boomed from the kitchen doorway.
Dante stepped into the room. Tall, muscular, and terrifyingly calm in a dark navy suit and white dress shirt, his presence instantly filled the entire space with suffocating authority.
Valentina froze, pulling back from the island as Dante walked up to her, stopping two inches away.
"Giulia and Mia are under my personal protection in this house, Valentina," Dante growled, his deep voice carrying a lethal edge that made his sister take an involuntary step back. "If you ever speak to either of them in that tone again, I will strip your executive trust allowance by half."
Valentina’s face flushed red with humiliation. "Dante! You are taking the word of a servant over your own sister?!"
"I am protecting my household," Dante said coldly. "Now leave the kitchen."
Valentina glared at Giulia with pure, unadulterated venom before turning on her heel and marching out of the room, her silk robe rustling violently behind her.
Dante turned back to Giulia, his intense expression softening as he looked down at little Mia. He reached out, his broad, calloused hand gently patting the little girl's curly hair.
"Are you okay, little one?" Dante asked softly.
May you like
Mia smiled brightly, holding up her cloth doll toward him. "Mr. Dante is strong like a bear!"
A rare, handsome smile touched Dante's sharp features. He looked up at Giulia, meeting her brown eyes. "Pack a small bag for Mia, Giulia. You are coming with me to the downtown vault today."
