Chapter 2: The Note That Should Not Exist
Chloe was still standing among the gift baskets when Mr.
Hart quietly set a small envelope on top of the gold-wrapped cheese.
"This one arrived separately," he said.
"No sender name."
Inside was a single card.
Four words, typed in clean black letters.
*You are not safe.*
Chloe's hand went still.
Before she could speak, Luciano appeared in the doorway.
He took one look at her face, crossed the hall in four steps, and lifted the card from her fingers without touching the envelope.
His expression did not change.
But he turned to Mr.
Hart.
"Who delivered this?"
"A woman.
Young.
Dark coat.
She was gone before I reached the door."
Luciano folded the card once and slipped it into his jacket pocket.
"Chloe." His voice was low, controlled.
"Go upstairs.
Stay away from the windows."
"That note—"
"I will handle it."
"Luciano." She grabbed his arm.
"Who sent that?"
He looked at her for a long moment.
Something moved behind his eyes that he did not allow to reach his face.
"Someone who believes you have something that belongs to them."
"I have nothing.
I'm a housekeeper."
"You were." He stepped back.
"That changed yesterday."
He walked away before she could answer.
Chloe stood alone in the entrance hall, surrounded by flowers and congratulations from dangerous men, holding a wheel of cheese she couldn't afford.
Then her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
One message.
*Ask Luciano who your mother really was.*
---
What does Chloe's mother have to do with the Costa family — and why has Luciano gone silent?
May you like
The full truth is darker than anyone expected.
Click the link below to read the complete story.
