Page 27 of Medical Malpractice

I scooted closer, grasping her hand. “You’re supposed to be sleeping, darling.”

“How can I sleep when my whole life is right in front of me?”

I bent low, kissing the new addition I had added to her finger while she was asleep.

Gabriella gasped as she processed the solitaire diamond engagement ring, and tears gathered in her lash line. “Aren’t you supposed to ask?”

“I don’t need to ask, Ella. You’re mine, as I am yours. You have given me your heart, our daughter, and I promise, I’ll give you the world in return. I love you, darling. More than you will ever know.”

“I have an inkling,” she said, gaze tenderly tracing over our baby. “I’ve chosen her name. One that fits perfectly.” I gave her a nod in encouragement. “Angelina.” She’s right. It is perfect.

“Our little angel,” I hummed in agreement.

Gabriella sniffled, running light fingers over Angelina’s cheek. “My little miracle.”

As evening settled around us, my soon-to-be-wife dozed as I refused to let go of our baby. Getting comfortable in the bedside recliner, I checked my phone for the first time.

My messages were overloaded with congratulations and well wishes, everyone no doubt having a conniption at the self-proclaimed bachelor settling down with a wife and family.

Until I saw one text in particular, from an unknown number.

You stole my life.

Which was shortly followed by another.

I’m going to steal it back.

I immediately killed the threatening growl building in my chest. That wasn’t the time or place to react. If anything, holding my Angelina helped dissipate the sudden rage. But it did nothing to soothe the crushing need to guard and protect.

I would do anything—everything—to keep my family out of harm’s way. And if Nico wanted to test that theory, he would experience exactly what that meant.

Chapter 16

LEONARDO

Seven years later…

Our new four-bedroom house was chock-full of unpacked boxes and half-strewn furniture, but it was a fresh start.

Angelina, my insightful seven-year-old, sat in the corner of the living room playing on her iPad, choosing to ignore the world. She was salty about the move, frustrated at being made to leave her friends and school.

My wife shuffled up to my side, her concerned gaze perusing our surly daughter. “Do you think we made the right choice?”

I skimmed my knuckles over Gabriella’s cheek before I kissed her frown away, then proceeded to kiss the top of Celeste’s head, our ten-month-old, nestled in her chest. She was our surprise baby—an addition we were ecstatic to welcome into the family.

“She will come around, Ella,” I placated. “She’s sad now, but she’ll adjust.”

Gabriella pecked my jaw and settled on the couch to breastfeed Celeste. We hadn’t made the decision to relocate lightly, but a drastic change had to be made in order to leave the lingering unease behind.

Over the years, Nico had remained an unwanted presence in our lives. After the court case, he had quite literally lost everything, which resulted in his manifesting a toxic pattern of obsessive behaviour and fixation.

The initial catalysts were the threats he sent after Angelina’s birth. I acted immediately, setting up extensive surveillance, new and improved devices and emergency systems.

Gabriella thought I went overboard, and after five years of silence, I was inclined to believe her. Until Nico attempted to reach out via social media. His messages were apologetic, nonthreatening and vying for our forgiveness.

However, when his innocent forms of engagement were ignored and blocked, his need for validation soon escalated.

Nico began calling Gabriella from multiple unknown numbers, harassing her through social media and work phones. He never showed his face, choosing to harass rather than gamble my reaction in person—he knew I was more than ready to throw down on sight.