His Baby Refused Every Bottle—Then the Maid Broke One Rule, and Three Days Later the Mob Boss Discovered Who Had Murdered His Wife

Chapter 5

The first sign came in the form of a woman named Vanessa Hale.

She arrived at the estate on the second afternoon, Elena’s younger sister, blond and exquisite in a way that required real money to maintain. Cream cashmere. Diamond studs. A teddy bear no child had ever touched.

Her smile at the front door was perfect.

Her smile in the nursery was better.

Then she saw Noah in Hannah’s arms.

For a fraction of a second, the smile disappeared.

Not softened.

Disappeared.

What flashed across Vanessa’s face was not relief at a recovering nephew.

It was disappointment.

Cold, pure, unguarded disappointment.

Then it was gone, replaced by glossy aunt’s concern.

“My sweet boy,” Vanessa murmured, leaning toward the baby but not touching him. “You look stronger already. What a miracle.”

Her eyes slid to Hannah.

“And you must be the girl everyone is talking about.”

“Hannah.”

“How rustic,” Vanessa replied with a little laugh, as though she had paid Hannah a compliment.

Gabriel entered a moment later, and Vanessa’s whole body changed. Her voice lowered. Her posture softened. Her gaze lingered on him half a second too long.

Hannah felt something unpleasant move through her chest.

Not jealousy.

Warning.