Chapter 7
The east wing of the Caruso estate was a fortress within a fortress, insulated by thick walls and heavy oak doors. Selene walked swiftly down the carpeted hallway, the sharp clicks of her leather shoes muffled by the plush runner. The bright, cinematic lighting here was softer, warmer, designed to create a sanctuary away from the brutal realities of her business.
She reached the heavy doors of the private nursery and tapped in a twelve-digit code on the biometric scanner. The deadbolts retracted with a heavy, metallic clunk.
Inside, the room was a haven of childhood innocence. The nanny stood nervously by the window, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Bennett was sitting in the middle of a massive, circular play rug, completely surrounded by colorful building blocks. He looked up as the door opened, his fair, rosy cheeks still stained with dried tears, but the immediate panic had subsided.
"Mommy!" Bennett cried, scrambling to his feet and running toward her on unsteady, toddler legs.
Selene dropped to her knees immediately, entirely disregarding the crisp tailoring of her pantsuit. She caught him in her arms, burying her face into his soft, warm neck. The scent of baby shampoo and innocence was a stark, jarring contrast to the violence and betrayal she had just navigated.
"I'm here, my beautiful boy," Selene whispered, her American accent thick with emotion. She pulled back slightly, cupping his face in her hands. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
"No, Mommy," Bennett sniffled, his bright blue eyes looking up at her with complete, unshakeable trust. "But the bad lady broke my crown."
Selene smiled, a genuine, warm expression that erased the terrifying Mafia boss completely. She reached into the pocket of her blazer and pulled out the smoothed paper crown.
"She tried," Selene said softly, carefully placing the crown back onto his head, adjusting it until it sat perfectly on his soft hair. "But crowns belong on kings, Bennett. And nobody can take yours away."
Bennett smiled, the tension finally leaving his small body. He hugged her tightly again, resting his head on her shoulder.
"You can take a break, Sarah," Selene told the nanny, not looking up from her son. "Go to the kitchen, get something to eat. I will stay with him."
"Yes, Ms. Caruso," the nanny replied quickly, visibly relieved to leave the heavily guarded room.
As the door clicked shut, Selene carried Bennett over to a large, comfortable rocking chair by the window. She sat down, pulling him onto her lap, and began a slow, rhythmic rocking motion. She looked out over the vast, secure grounds of her estate. The bright afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting long, sharp shadows across the manicured lawns.
"Mommy," Bennett mumbled sleepily, exhausted from the trauma and the crying. "Why did she say you bought me?"
The question struck Selene’s heart like a physical blow. She took a slow, deep breath, choosing her words with absolute care. She would not lie to him, but she would frame the truth in a way that empowered him, rather than breaking him as Keira had intended.
"Because she doesn't understand how love works, sweetheart," Selene explained gently. "Some mommies grow their babies in their tummies. But some mommies, like me, look all over the whole wide world until they find the absolute most perfect, beautiful boy to bring home and love forever. I didn't buy you, Bennett. I chose you. Out of everyone in the world, I chose you to be my son."
Bennett looked up at her, his innocent mind processing her words. The explanation seemed to satisfy him, wrapping him in a profound sense of security. "I chose you too, Mommy."
May you like
Selene kissed his forehead, a fierce, burning tear escaping her eye and sliding down her cheek. "I know you did, my love."
She held him until his breathing deepened into a peaceful sleep. She sat there in the bright, quiet room, the weight of the upcoming war settling heavily on her shoulders. She had chosen him, and now, she would burn the world to ash to ensure he inherited it.
