Chapter 3 - The Fallout
The news broke before noon, just as Luca had predicted. I was sitting in the corner of the expansive family room, my ankle propped up on a velvet ottoman, reading a story to Sofia. The massive flat-screen TV on the wall was muted, but the chyrons flashing across the bottom of the screen were impossible to ignore.
MORETTI-ROMANO MERGER CANCELLED. BILLIONAIRE CALLS OFF WEDDING IN SHOCKING MIDNIGHT EVICTION.
My phone buzzed relentlessly in my pocket. Other staff members who had my number were texting me, asking if I was okay, if I knew what had happened. I ignored them all, focusing on the way Sofia was acting out the voices of the animals in the book. She seemed oblivious to the storm raging outside the iron gates of the estate, where news vans had been parked since dawn.
"Emma?" Luca's voice pulled me from the book.
He walked into the room, looking tired but fiercely determined. He had shed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, revealing strong forearms. He held a tablet in his hand.
"They're painting you as the villain," I said softly, nodding toward the television. "Isabella's PR team is fast."
Luca glanced at the screen and scoffed, turning it off with a click of the remote. "Let them spin whatever fairy tale they want. It won't save her family's company. How is your ankle?"
"Better," I lied gently. It still ached, but the presence of him in the room was a distraction.
"Good." He sat on the edge of the coffee table, leaning in close. Sofia abandoned her book and climbed right into his lap. He kissed the top of her head. "Because I need to ask a favor of you. A rather large one."
I swallowed hard. "Anything."
"There is a charity gala tomorrow night. The annual Moretti Foundation dinner. It was supposed to be my first public appearance with Isabella as my fiancée. The board is terrified that cancelling will make me look unstable." He looked deeply into my eyes. "I am going. And I want you on my arm."
My heart did a painful, erratic stutter. "Mr. Moretti—Luca. I'm a nanny. I don't belong at a billionaire's gala. Besides, I'm wearing a medical boot."
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"You belong wherever I say you belong," he said, his voice dropping to that low, protective register that made my toes curl. "And as for the boot, we will make it work. I want the world to see exactly who I chose. Are you brave enough to face the wolves with me, Emma?"
Looking into his dark, unwavering eyes, I realized I would walk into fire for this man and his daughter. "Yes."
