The baby was meant to change everything. Instead, it exposed a secret powerful enough to bring an empire to its knees overnight.

Not casually.

Not politely.

Intensely.

As though the rest of the world had suddenly stopped making sense.

I swallowed carefully and squared my shoulders.

“Hello, Luca.”

The sound of my voice seemed to snap him from whatever shock had rooted him in place.

His jaw tightened.

“You disappeared.”

Not hello.

Not how are you.

Only an accusation.

Vanessa looked between continue reading …