Chapter 4

Adrian had only planned to come to the port to sign one document.

When he stepped out with Leo in his arms, he ignored the contractors waiting for him.

"Where's Elena?"

The project manager blinked.

Marco was standing right there and switched instantly to a courteous smile.

"Mr. Moretti, it's an honor. Marco Bellini—"

Adrian did not even break stride.

"I asked where my wife is."

The air went still.

Marco's smile froze by degrees.

Livia was holding Mia, her fingers still digging into the child's shoulder.

At the familiar voice, Mia snapped her head up.

"Daddy!"

Leo leaned out of Adrian's arms too.

"Mia?"

Those two calls rang out like gunshots.

Marco froze.

Adrian had already reached Livia.

He saw his daughter's swollen face first, then the finger marks on her arm.

He did not shout.

He only put out a hand.

"Mia, come here."

Livia let go on instinct.

The child threw herself into her father's arms and cried until she could barely speak.

"They locked Mommy up."

Adrian's eyes finally changed.

"Where?"

Mia pointed at the cold storage area.

He handed both children to the bodyguards who had come with him. When he turned, his voice was very low. "Seal the port."

Nobody dared move.

Several security officers ran for the cold storage.

By the time the door opened I was curled in the corner.

Adrian came in himself.

I heard footsteps and managed to open my eyes.

He crouched down and wrapped his coat around me, and his hand shook noticeably when it touched my cold face.

"Elena."

"Mm."

"Look at me."

I forced my eyes open and managed a faint smile.

"You're a little late."

"I'm sorry."

He lifted me up.

I leaned into him and finally let my eyes close.

As we passed Marco, I felt Adrian's arms tighten slightly around me.

Marco's voice came out hoarse. "She... she really is your wife?"

Adrian stopped.

He did not answer a question that no longer needed answering.

He simply turned to the head of port security.

"Secure every second of footage.

"Nobody who laid a hand on my wife or my daughter leaves.

"Call the police."

The project manager went white.

Livia took two steps back.

It was as if Marco finally woke up. "Adrian, this is all a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?"

It was the first time Adrian looked directly at him.

"You put a woman in a refrigerated container and hit a three-year-old hard enough to leave her face swollen.

"Tell me which part of that is the misunderstanding."

Marco opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.