Chapter 5 - A BABY'S NAME
Hannah did not know that her name had appeared in the audit.
She only knew that the atmosphere in the mansion had changed.
People spoke more freely. Clara had returned the staff break room to its original location. The kitchen refrigerator had a shelf labeled for employee food. The new supervisor posted the schedules where everyone could see them.
Still, Hannah felt watched.
Whenever Vanessa passed through the kitchen, she seemed to find a reason to stop.
One afternoon, Hannah was warming a bottle of expressed milk when Vanessa entered.
“Still bringing that?”
Hannah kept her voice polite.
“Yes, ma'am. It's for Noah.”
“Your mother can't manage him?”
“She helps me.”
“Then why does he need you so much?”
Hannah tightened the bottle cap.
“He's three months old.”
Vanessa looked at the bottle with visible distaste.
“Some women manage to work without making their children everyone's concern.”
Hannah's cheeks grew hot.
“I don't ask anyone to care for him. I only need to store his milk.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Don't mistake Mr. Moretti's temporary sympathy for protection. He has more important things to worry about than your family.”
Hannah looked toward the kitchen door.
“I need to finish my work.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Of course you do.”
She left.
Hannah's hands were shaking when Clara came in.
“What did she say?”
“Nothing.”
Clara gave her a look.
“Hannah.”
Hannah told her.
Clara's expression hardened.
“Write it down. Date, time, words. Don't argue with her. Just keep a record.”
That evening, Luca found Hannah in the pantry checking the labels on the stored bottles.
“Is everything all right?”
She hesitated.
“It's fine, sir.”
“That's not what I asked.”
Hannah looked at him.
“Miss Bellini says I shouldn't make my baby everyone's concern.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“Did she say that today?”
“Yes.”
“Did she touch your belongings?”
“No.”
“Did she threaten your job?”
“Not directly.”
He nodded.
“I'll address it.”
Hannah shifted the bottles in the refrigerator.
“Sir, I don't want to be the reason you and Miss Bellini argue.”
“You aren't.”
“But she says—”
“Hannah, listen to me. You are not responsible for managing my relationship. You're responsible for your work, and I'm responsible for making sure this is a fair place to do it.”
He paused.
“What is your son's full name?”
Hannah blinked.
“Noah James Carter.”
“James?”
“My father. He died before Noah was born.”
Luca nodded.
“It's a good name.”
For a moment, the conversation felt ordinary.
Then Luca's phone rang. He checked the screen and his expression changed.
“I need to take this.”
May you like
He stepped away.
Hannah watched him leave, wondering what kind of man he was when nobody was asking him to be powerful.
