Chapter 1 — The Boy Who Only Slept in Her Arms
Leo refused to let Cameron leave.
The moment she stood from the chair in Matteo's study, the little boy woke as if he could sense the distance between them.
"No."
His tiny fingers wrapped around the sleeve of her worn uniform.
The room fell silent.
For three years, Leo had rejected every nanny, every therapist, every relative.
Now he clung to a woman he had known for less than a day.
Matteo watched without speaking.
Finally, he looked at his chief of staff.
"Cancel every interview."
"But, sir... we still have candidates arriving tomorrow."
"We don't need them."
His voice was calm.
"We already found the one."
By sunset, Cameron had moved into the staff wing of the penthouse.
Not because she wanted luxury.
Because Leo refused to sleep unless she was nearby.
That night, after the boy finally drifted off, Matteo stood outside the nursery.
"You have a gift," he said quietly.
Cameron shook her head.
"No."
She looked at the sleeping child.
"I just listened."
Matteo frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Children don't become violent without a reason."
She gently brushed a curl from Leo's forehead.
"They become frightened first."
Those words followed Matteo long after she left the room.
For the first time in years...
He wondered what had happened to his son when he wasn't looking.
Someone else was listening too.
From the security monitor room downstairs.
The elderly housekeeper, Margaret, silently switched off the screen.
Her hands trembled.
"If she keeps asking questions..."
May you like
she whispered,
"...everything will come out."
