Chapter 5
Mallory tried to sit up.
Lorenzo stopped her with one sharp gesture.
“Stay where you are.”
She froze.
Hunter held Leo closer, keeping his head supported, one hand spread over the infant’s back.
The baby had stopped nursing now, exhausted from the effort. But his breathing was calmer than before. The monitor showed no resolution, no safety, no answer—only a rhythm that no longer sounded like immediate collapse.
Hunter looked at Lorenzo.
“He swallowed. You saw it.”
“I saw.”
“Then you know I wasn’t hurting him.”
His eyes shifted to her.
For a moment, she could not breathe.
Lorenzo Rossi’s stare had ruined stronger people than her.
But when he spoke, his voice was controlled.
“I know you saved him from something.”
Not everything.
Not trust.
Not yet.
But enough to keep her standing.
Mallory whispered, “Mr. Rossi…”
His attention returned to the nurse.
“Who gave you the glass?”
She looked at the floor.
“I don’t remember.”
“Wrong answer.”
Her eyes filled.
“I don’t.”
Hunter watched her carefully.
Mallory looked sick, disoriented, frightened. Not like someone caught committing a crime. Like someone realizing she had been used inside one.
Lorenzo seemed to see the same thing.
He crouched, picked up the glass with a cloth from the changing table, and set it far from everyone.
“Did you prepare the bottle?”
Mallory closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“With what?”
“Formula from the sealed container. Warmer. Same schedule.”
Hunter spoke quietly.
“That bottle smelled bitter.”
Mallory’s head turned weakly.
“What?”
Hunter nodded toward the unopened bottle near the crib.
“I smelled it before. Not every time. Some nights.”
Lorenzo’s face hardened.
Mallory looked horrified.
“I never added anything.”
Lorenzo leaned closer.
“Then who had access before you?”
Mallory’s lips trembled.
“The feeding cabinet is locked.”
“I asked who had access.”
She swallowed.
“Family medical staff. Head of household. Security master list. And…”
She stopped.
Lorenzo’s eyes sharpened.
“And?”
Mallory looked toward the door.
As if the person outside could hear through steel.
Before she answered, the intercom crackled.
The unseen woman’s voice returned, softer now.
“Lorenzo, don’t listen to the maid.”
Hunter went still.
Lorenzo slowly turned toward the speaker.
May you like
The voice knew him.
Read Chapter 6 👉 Because the woman outside tried to blame Hunter, and that proved she was close enough to know everyone in the nursery.
