The floor was polished grey marble, cold beneath my sneakers.

A middle-aged woman in a nurse’s uniform stepped forward from the hallway.

“This is Clara,” Giovanni said. “She is a registered pediatric nurse.”

“Dr. Sullivan recommended her.”

Clara looked at Luca with professional concern and reached out her arms.

“Let me take him to the medical room upstairs,” she said gently.

“It is fully equipped with everything Dr. Sullivan sent ahead.”

I hesitated, clutching my baby tighter against my collarbone.

“You can trust her, Lauren,” Giovanni said, placing a warm hand on my shoulder.

“I will be right outside,” Clara promised, her eyes soft but firm.

I let her take Luca, my arms suddenly feeling incredibly light and empty.

I watched her carry him up the wide, carpeted staircase.

“Come,” Giovanni said, leading me into a large study off the main hall.

The room smelled of old paper, leather, and woodsmoke from a small fireplace.

A large oak desk sat in the center of the room, covered in neat stacks of paper.

“Why does Marcus want Luca?” I asked, turning to face him.