Chapter 4 - Sanctuary in Lake GenevaThe Moretti estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was a sprawling, secluded sanctuary hidden behind towering iron security gates and acres of dense, ancient pine trees. Far from the noisy concrete canyons of Chicago, the grand stone manor stood majestically overlooking the calm, steel-gray waters of the lake.
For the first two weeks, my world shrunk down to the comfortable boundaries of the master suite.
Dad had spared absolutely no expense. He brought in Dr. Elizabeth Vance—a top-tier maternal-fetal specialist from Northwestern Memorial Hospital who visited the estate three times a week to monitor my health and the baby’s development. Every meal was carefully crafted by a private nutritionist to help me regain the weight I had lost during months of stress and malnourishment.
Slowly, the dark purple bruises on my arms and ribs faded into pale yellow, and then disappeared entirely.
More importantly, the constant, clawing anxiety that had lived in the pit of my stomach began to recede. I started sleeping through the night without waking up in a cold sweat, listening for footsteps in the hallway.
One crisp autumn afternoon, I wrapped myself in a heavy cashmere cardigan and walked down to the stone patio overlooking the lake. The air smelled of damp earth and pine needles, crisp and invigorating.
Dad walked out sliding glass doors carrying two mugs of hot chamomile tea, handing one to me before leaning against the stone balustrade.
“Dr. Elizabeth called me this morning,” Dad said, a rare, proud smile warming his features. “She said your iron levels are back to normal, and the baby’s heart rate is strong and steady. She thinks you’re going to have a little girl.”
I smiled, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic mug. “A little girl... sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming, Dad. Like I’m going to wake up and still be in that apartment.”
Dad’s expression softened, though a shadow of lingering fury crossed his eyes. “You’ll never go back there, Emily. I promise you that. Ryan is currently living in a fleabag motel in Gary, Indiana, dodging collection agencies and working twelve-hour shifts at a car wash just to pay off the interest on his debts. As for Linda... she moved in with her sister in Florida, disgraced and friendless.”
“Did you ruin him completely?” I asked quietly, looking out over the water.
Dad took a sip of his tea, looking out at the horizon. “I didn't ruin him, sweetheart. I just stopped protecting him from the consequences of his own actions. Men like Ryan spend their entire lives stepping on others because they think nobody is watching. They forget that eventually, the bill always comes due.”
He turned to me, his expression turning serious. “And speaking of the bill... we have some unfinished business to attend to next week.”
I frowned. “Unfinished business?”
“The finalization of your corporate assets and the formal closing of the divorce settlement,” Dad explained. “Your lawyer in Chicago needs your signature on the restructured trust documents. I’m going into the city with Tony on Tuesday to finalize everything.”
I nodded, feeling a strange sense of closure. “Can I come with you?”
Dad hesitated, his protective instincts immediately flaring up. “Emily, I don’t think you need to step foot back in Chicago just yet. It might bring back bad memories—”
“Dad, I need to,” I interrupted gently, placing my hand on his arm. “I need to close that chapter myself. I’m not the scared girl hiding under a blanket anymore. I’m a mother now.”
May you like
Dad looked at me for a long moment, studying my face, searching for any sign of hesitation. When he saw only unyielding resolve, a slow, proud grin spread across his face.
“All right,” Dad said softly. “We go together. On our terms.”
