Everyone Laughed When Her Ex Mocked Her—Until the Mafia Boss Found Out She Was Pregnant “Well, someone certainly let themselves go.”

Diane Bennett arrived at Chloe’s apartment carrying a cardboard file box.

Luca searched it before allowing her inside.

Her mother looked thinner than she had two weeks earlier. The diamond earrings she wore to every important lunch were gone.

“Your father asked me to destroy these,” Diane said.

The box contained bank statements, consulting emails, and recordings of Derek threatening Richard after the gala.

One message was especially damaging.

If Chloe talks, your contract disappears and the police learn exactly whose plans opened that loading dock.

Chloe looked at her mother.

“How long have you had this?”

“Four months.”

“You could have gone to the police.”

“Your father said we would lose the company.”

“You might lose it anyway.”

“I know.”

Diane sat with both hands clenched in her lap.

“I spent my entire marriage believing keeping the family together was my responsibility. Every time Richard made a cruel decision, I softened it. Every time he lied, I explained it. I thought that made me loyal.”

“It made you useful to him.”

Her mother nodded as tears filled her eyes.

“When Derek left you, I knew there was another woman. I still told you to take him back because I was afraid he would expose your father.”

Chloe felt the old wound open again.

“You watched me believe I was not enough.”

“Yes.”

“And you let him stand in that café and humiliate me?”

“I didn’t know about the café.”

“But if you had, would you have stopped him?”

Diane’s silence answered.

Chloe looked toward the windows.

The city below was bright with winter sunlight. Somewhere outside, Dominic’s men watched the building. Somewhere else, Derek and Caruso were planning how to use her unborn daughter.

She was tired of being the object everyone negotiated around.

“What do you want from me?” Chloe asked.

“Nothing.”

“That would be new.”

Diane accepted the blow.

“I gave copies of everything to federal investigators this morning. I am prepared to testify against Derek and your father if necessary.”

“You’re choosing now because you know they’re going to lose.”

“I’m choosing now because Richard said the baby was the price of saving the company.”

Chloe turned sharply.

“What?”

“He received a message from Derek last night. They want you at the Starlight Hotel’s anniversary fundraiser on Friday. Richard was supposed to convince you to attend without Dominic.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Richard agreed before he told me.”

The betrayal hurt, but it no longer surprised her.

Her father had moved from offering Chloe’s marriage to offering access to her body and child.

Diane reached across the table but stopped before touching her.

“I cannot undo the mother I have been.”

“No.”

“But I can refuse to help them hurt you again.”

Chloe studied her face.

Forgiveness did not come.

But a decision did.

“Then you’re going to call Dad,” Chloe said. “You’re going to tell him I agreed to attend.”