Chapter 6 - Healing ShadowsThe private physician Luca brought to the penthouse was a calm, professional woman named Dr. Evans. For over an hour, she examined me, running blood tests and checking my vitals, while Luca waited outside the bedroom door like a silent sentinel.
When Dr. Evans finally stepped out into the living room, Luca was standing by the window. I sat propped up against the pillows in the guest suite, a soft blanket draped over my lap, feeling lighter than I had in ten years.
"She's physically exhausted, and her iron levels are low," Dr. Evans told Luca, her voice carrying clearly into the room. "Stress has played a massive factor. But the pregnancy is viable. She's approximately six weeks along. Given her history, she needs absolute rest, proper nutrition, and zero emotional trauma."
Luca went completely still. The silence stretched for a moment before he turned slowly, his dark eyes fixing on Dr. Evans. "Is she and the baby safe?"
"With proper care, yes," the doctor smiled gently. "She's stronger than she looks, Mr. Moretti. But she needs to be protected."
"She will be," Luca said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
After Dr. Evans left, Luca walked into the bedroom, carrying a small tray with fruit and warm tea. He set it on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the mattress, looking at me with an expression so tender it made my throat tight.
"Six weeks," Luca said softly, his gaze dropping momentarily to my stomach before rising back to meet my eyes. "Conrad... he didn't deserve you. He didn't deserve any part of you."
"When I lost our baby five years ago," I whispered, tears finally breaking free and spilling down my cheeks, "Conrad looked at me in that hospital bed and told me my body was defective. That I broke it. For five years, I believed him. Every time I felt sick or tired, I thought I was failing."
Luca reached out, his warm calloused thumb gently wiping away a tear from my cheek. His touch was firm, grounding, and completely devoid of judgment.
"You were never broken, Winnie," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You were just trapped in a dark room with someone who was terrified of how bright you actually shine."
I leaned into his hand, closing my eyes as the last remnants of the fear that had defined my life dissolved into the quiet afternoon light. For the first time in a decade, I didn't feel like I was hiding, apologizing, or surviving. I felt alive.
"What happens now?" I asked, opening my eyes to look at him.
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"Now," Luca smiled, a genuine, warm expression that transformed his rugged face, "we rest. Then, we dismantle Conrad's remaining shell companies, secure your full assets, and figure out what kind of nursery you want to build."
I let out a watery laugh, resting my hand over my stomach. For the first time, the future didn't look terrifying. It looked like mine.
