Chapter 3
According to what the baby told me, I had repeatedly rejected the Moretti Family’s arrangements in my previous life.
I had even accused them to Aviana’s face of being criminals who thought money could buy anything.
Aviana had decided I was impulsive and unreliable.
She stopped liking me.
To prevent me from entering the Moretti Family, Aviana called Sloane Bellini back from abroad in the hope that she would end up with Luka.
In this life, I only wanted the Moretti Family to see that I would take good care of the baby and cause them no trouble.
Aviana and I got along wonderfully.
Naturally, Sloane never crossed her mind.
From then on, Aviana accompanied me to the private medical center every week.
The baby was incredibly cooperative.
During every ultrasound, she shifted into the easiest position for the doctor to examine her.
Whenever Aviana moved closer to the screen, the baby raised an arm as though waving to her.
Even the doctors were amazed.
“She’s the most cooperative baby I’ve ever examined.”
“Her position and development are excellent, and if this continues, the delivery should be much easier.”
A nurse smiled at Aviana.
“She moves every time she hears your voice, so she must already adore you.”
Aviana was delighted.
After every appointment, she took me to a private boutique.
If she thought something suited me, she had it wrapped up immediately.
She also filled several rooms with cribs, clothing, and toys.
The baby told me something else.
Madison was so jealous of me that she planned to accuse me of being involved in Luka’s drugging.
She wanted the Moretti Family to believe I had orchestrated that night.
To prevent that from happening, I repeatedly warned Aviana while we were close.
“The people who drugged Luka managed to enter a private Family banquet, which means they prepared in advance.”
“You need to identify whoever helped them gain access as soon as possible.”
“If everyone involved hasn’t been found, they may try to hurt Luka again.”
Aviana realized that I was genuinely worried about Luka.
She grew even closer to me.
With help from Aviana and my stylist, I gradually learned how to dress and socialize among the Families.
A private tailor prepared clothing for every kind of occasion.
My etiquette instructor also briefed me before every dinner, explaining who would attend and which subjects I should avoid.
When my parents visited from upstate New York, they barely recognized me.
We had originally agreed to keep the pregnancy secret.
But Aviana’s preparations for the baby were far too extravagant to remain hidden.
Soon, New York’s underworld and several old Families had heard that Luka was expecting a child.
There were even rumors that he intended to marry the child’s mother.
Everyone who had mocked Luka for being unable to father a child fell silent.
Luka made no attempt to correct the rumors.
But he began visiting the guesthouse far more often.
One day, I was making minestrone when he arrived.
He stood in the kitchen doorway.
His gaze remained fixed on the pot.
He neither spoke nor left.
I quickly understood what he wanted.
I took out a bowl and served him some.
“If you haven’t had dinner yet, you can try it.”
“It’s fairly light, so it should suit your taste.”
Luka immediately accepted the bowl and took a spoonful.
His eyes visibly brightened.
I couldn’t help laughing.
Those thirty-thousand-dollar private cooking lessons had been worth every cent.
After that, Luka visited the guesthouse even more often.
As the baby tried not to grow too quickly, she began imagining our future.
【At this rate, as long as Sloane doesn’t come back, Dad will eventually admit that he likes Mom.】
But that very afternoon, just as I was about to leave the guesthouse, a black car stopped outside.
A young woman in a custom-made suit stepped out.
She wore diamond earrings, and several soldiers from the Bellini Family followed behind her.
She walked straight toward me and blocked my path.
She looked me up and down without a trace of kindness in her eyes.
“So you’re the gold-digging slut who slept with Luka while he was unconscious and then tried to trap him with a baby?”
Before I could answer, the baby shrieked.
【We’re finished!】
【Sloane came back after all!】
【She was Dad’s first love and has known him since childhood, and she’s also the Bellini Family’s only daughter.】
【How is Mom supposed to compete with her?】