Leo didn't even look up, as if he hadn't heard me, and continued working on the tiny nail.

I reached out to touch one of the finished ones, and he slapped my hand away.

"Mommy, don't touch it! You'll mess it up!"

A child's slap couldn't hurt, but the sting in my heart was unbearable. He didn't look at me again.

He was completely absorbed in his task. I stood over him, watching him finish the child-sized set and start on an adult one.

I assumed the second set was for me. "Paint a moon. Mommy wants a moon."

Leo's little brow furrowed. He didn't say anything, but he continued painting the same pink flower design.

Finally, I pressed my lips together and went upstairs without another word. I stood before the bulletproof window and called the family's consigliere, Julian Vance.

"Julian, when are you free? I need to consult with you about something."

...

That afternoon, I took Leo to his riding lesson. He ran inside the moment we arrived, not even bothering to say goodbye.

I watched as he eagerly pulled the press-on nails from his bag and gave them to the little girl from the photograph. After a long moment, I tore my eyes away and turned to leave.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her mother walking over to them. My husband's "assistant," Elena.

I drove back to the estate, packed up the leftover nourishing broth from lunch, and headed to the headquarters of the Moretti Shipping Group.

After Leo was born, I had focused all my energy on him and had become less involved in the family's legitimate businesses.

The receptionist was surprised to see me and immediately reached for the intercom to announce my arrival.

I told her not to bother; I could go up myself. As I reached the top floor, I collided with someone right outside Alex's office.

Papers scattered everywhere. As I knelt to pick them up, I saw her face.

It was Elena.

She was wearing the same professional suit I had seen her in at the stables. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Moretti," she apologized profusely.

I looked at her face as she gathered the documents, bowing again. As she straightened up, I caught a glimpse of several distinct red marks on her neck.

Hickeys. They looked fresh.

Just then, Alex stepped out of his office. He was still in yesterday's suit, a blissful smile on his face.

"My love, what are you doing here?"

I shifted my gaze from Elena and held up the thermos. "Maria made some soup, so I brought it for you."

Alex's face lit up. He strode over and wrapped me in a hug, burying his chin in my neck. "I knew my wife couldn't bear to see me go hungry."

"Mhm," I murmured, my eyes fixed on Elena, who hadn't left yet. As she moved, I noticed the pearl bracelet on her wrist.

Even though I had prepared myself for this, seeing it still sent a shiver through me. My body trembled uncontrollably.

The son I had carried for ten months, the son I had endured hell to give birth to, was treating an outsider with a kindness that nearly shattered my composure.

Alex felt me shaking. "Casey, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I looked at him, a wave of nausea washing over me. I forced a smile. "The AC is on too high. I'm a little cold."

He seemed to relax a little. "I'll hold you. Then you won't be cold."

I pushed him away. "We have company."

His body tensed for a second before he dismissed Elena. He tried to lead me into his office.

I looked at Elena's hands, at the press-on nails she was wearing, and smiled. "Miss Garcia, your nails are so whimsical."

I saw a flicker of guilt in Alex's beautiful eyes. Before he could speak, I continued, as if I hadn't noticed a thing.

"Leo spent all morning making press-on nails. He said they were for his little sister Stella. I was thinking, there aren't any girls named Stella in his class. Then this afternoon, when I took him to the stables, I saw him give them to a little girl."

Alex's lips thinned, but he didn't move. I could feel the color draining from his face.

He stayed silent, but Elena spoke up. "I bought these from a child at a night market. They were twenty dollars."

Alex was quiet for a moment, then he reached out and ruffled my hair. "Are you jealous of a child? I'll make you a set tonight when we get home."

He looked at Elena. "Elena, what are you still doing here?"

I knew he was trying to get rid of her, but I smiled and stopped her. "Miss Garcia."

Elena paused and watched as I walked toward her, taking her hand in mine.

"My son made two sets of press-on nails. One of them looks exactly like the one you're wearing."

I was still smiling as I said it. Alex's face went white, but he quickly regained his composure.

Elena clutched her files and pulled her hand back, taking a small step away. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Moretti, I lied. I didn't buy them at the market. The young master gave them to me."

I smiled. "Then why did you lie?"

Elena managed a tight smile. "The young master made a set for Stella and for me, but he didn't make one for you. I was afraid you'd be upset, so..."

I could feel the tension leave Alex's body as he stood behind me. "It's fine. When we get home, he and I will each make you a set."

He came over to hug me again, settling me into his office chair.

Now it was just the two of us. He opened the thermos and started drinking the soup.

I broke the silence. "Leo's riding lessons cost a hundred thousand dollars a year. Miss Garcia's husband must be quite a man."

The spoon in Alex's hand clattered against the thermos. He was silent for a moment. "That's her private life. I wouldn't know."

I looked at him, and all the fight went out of me. I closed my eyes. "Alex Moretti."

I said his full name. He stared at me, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

"Are you still treating me like a fool?" I pulled the crumpled photo from my pocket and threw it at him. "You took my son and betrayed me. You betrayed our entire family."

He was silent, his jaw tight, the knuckles of his hand gripping the spoon turning white. "Casey, I didn't," he finally choked out.

I looked up at him. "Fine. Explain."

He latched onto the chance like a drowning man grabbing a life raft. "Leo and Stella met at their riding lessons. I only found out later that Elena was Stella's mother."

He continued his explanation. "It was Stella's birthday, and she invited Leo. You were visiting the Romanos' that day, and I happened to be free, so I took him."

I listened to his lies and stood up to leave. Alex's eyes turned red as he grabbed me from behind, refusing to let me go.

His voice trembled violently. "My love, I was wrong. I should have told you. It was a lapse in judgment. It will never happen again. I'm sorry. Please, forgive me."

Hearing his words, I laughed. I laughed so hard that tears started to fall.

I struggled to break free from his grasp, but he held on tight. I twisted around in his arms and looked up at him.

"Alex Moretti, I forgot to tell you something."

"I understand Sicilian."