Chapter 3 - THE DEBT AND THE DOLL
The kitchen went dead silent. The only sound was the hum of the massive industrial refrigerator.
“Your accountant’s runner?” Serena repeated, the words tasting like ash in her mouth. She stared at the photograph of David’s smiling, arrogant face. “David works for you?”
“David works for the Rinaldi syndicate,” Victor corrected, his tone chillingly precise. “He moves ledgers for my underboss. He’s a low-level earner. But lately, he’s been flashing a lot of cash. Hiring expensive family lawyers. Buying a new condo.” Victor leaned forward, resting his hands on the marble island. “So, I will ask you again. Why is his picture in your wallet?”
“He is my ex-husband,” Serena said, her voice shaking with a terrifying realization. “He’s Lucia’s father. He sued me for full custody last month out of nowhere. I couldn't figure out how he afforded the retainer for the best lawyer in the city.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed, analyzing her face for any trace of a lie. He found none.
“If he’s fighting you for the child, he’s doing it with our money,” Victor said softly. “Money he shouldn't have.”
Before Serena could process the implication that her custody battle was being funded by mafia cash, the kitchen doors swung violently open.
The quadruplets had arrived.
Marco marched in first, wearing dinosaur pajamas and a scowl. Nico was right behind him, carrying a plastic sword. Alessandro was reading a book while walking, and Tommy trailed behind, his quiet eyes immediately scanning the room.
Then, they stopped.
Lucia was standing in the doorway, clutching Mrs. Chen’s hand.
Four pairs of dark Rinaldi eyes locked onto the small girl in the yellow dress.
“Who is that?” Marco demanded, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest.
“This is Lucia,” Serena said, instantly shifting into mother-mode, masking her panic about David. “She is going to be staying with us. You will treat her with respect.”
Nico raised his plastic sword. “Is she a princess?”
“No,” Lucia piped up, her voice surprisingly steady. She stepped out from behind the housekeeper. “I’m a knight. And my bear eats dragons.”
Marco blinked. Alessandro lowered his book. Nico grinned, showing a missing front tooth.
“Prove it,” Nico challenged, tossing a throw pillow from the breakfast nook directly at her head.
Serena started to lunge forward, but Lucia didn't flinch. She dropped her bear, caught the pillow with both hands, and threw it right back. It smacked Nico squarely in the chest.
Nico looked shocked for exactly one second before bursting into laughter.
Victor watched the exchange from the counter, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. “It seems they’ve met their match, Ms. Valente. Now, make them breakfast. I have business to attend to.”
As Victor left, a heavy, suffocating dread settled over Serena. If David was getting dirty money from the syndicate to steal her daughter, she wasn't just fighting a bitter ex anymore. She was caught in the middle of a mafia power struggle.
By mid-afternoon, the rain from the previous day had stopped, leaving the sprawling estate grounds muddy but bright. Serena had managed to get the boys fed, dressed, and outside to burn off energy. Lucia was trailing behind Tommy, who was silently pointing out different types of beetles in the rose bushes.
Serena sat on a stone bench, watching them, when a shadow fell over her.
“A beautiful day for a garden party.”
Serena looked up. A man in a tailored blue suit was standing over her. He had slicked-back blonde hair, a sharp jawline, and a smile that didn't reach his cold, pale eyes.
“I’m Dominic,” he said smoothly, sitting on the opposite end of the bench without an invitation. “Victor’s right-hand man. His underboss.”
Serena felt a chill crawl up her spine. This was the man Victor said David worked for.
“Serena,” she replied tightly.
“I know who you are,” Dominic smiled, pulling a silver cigarette case from his jacket. “And I know about your custody troubles with David. Such a shame. A mother should never be separated from her child.”
“What do you want?” Serena asked, her protective instincts flaring.
“I’m a problem solver,” Dominic said casually. “David owes me a lot of money. I’m letting him use it to win his little court case because it amuses me. But… I could make his debt come due immediately. If I do that, he goes away. He drops the custody suit. You keep your daughter forever.”
Serena stared at him. “In exchange for what?”
Dominic leaned closer, smelling of expensive cologne and peppermint. “Victor is getting soft. He hires nannies instead of soldiers. He stays home instead of handling business. I just want you to keep your eyes open. Tell me who visits him. Tell me what he says on the phone. Do that, and David vanishes.”
He was asking her to be a rat. To betray the man who had just taken her in.
Before Serena could tell him to go to hell, a loud shout interrupted them.
“Mommy! Look what I found!”
Serena bolted up. Lucia was running across the damp grass, her knees muddy, her hands cupped together. The four boys were running behind her, their faces pale and stricken.
Lucia reached the bench and opened her hands.
Sitting in her muddy palms was a small, ornate silver music box. It was heavily tarnished, etched with intricate vines, and looked like it had been buried in the earth for a long time.
Dominic froze. The arrogant smile slid completely off his face, replaced by a flash of genuine terror.
Lucia fiddled with the tiny latch. It popped open. A delicate, tinkling melody began to play—a haunting, familiar lullaby.
May you like
The patio doors slammed open. Victor stood on the terrace, his face drained of all color. He stared at the silver box in Lucia’s hands as if he were looking at a ghost.
“Where,” Victor whispered, his voice shaking with a terrifying, absolute rage, “did you get that?”
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