The fabric was saturated with a slow-release industrial skin irritant. Not lethal.
But designed to cause prolonged pain.
If it had continued, it could have caused nerve damage.
Someone had been torturing the child.
Deliberately.
When Emily told Dominic, something inside him snapped.
“Who bought it?” he demanded.
A household assistant checked the purchase records.
The pillow had been ordered under Margaret Moretti’s private account.
Silence fell like a gunshot.
When confronted, Margaret didn’t deny it.
“He’s the only heir,” she said calmly. “If he were declared medically unstable, guardianship would transfer. Control would return where it belongs.”
“To you?” Dominic’s voice trembled.
“Weakness destroys empires,” she replied.
This time, Dominic didn’t hesitate.
He called the police.
Margaret Moretti was arrested for attempted harm to a minor.
The mansion, once filled with power and fear, finally went quiet.
Back in the nursery, Emily bathed Luca in warm water, applied soothing ointment, and replaced every fabric in the room.
For the first time in months…
The crying stopped.
Luca blinked up at her.
And smiled.
A small, fragile smile.
Isabella burst into tears.
Dominic stood in the doorway, unable to speak.