Chapter 97

Loren picked up the phone and dialed Morgan's number. After a few rings, Morgan's voice answered.

"Hi, you left in the morning and haven’t come back yet," Loren said with a demanding tone.

"I'm working. Did something happen to our daughter?" Morgan asked, his voice tinged with slight concern.

"No, she’s fine, she's sleeping. I called because I’m waiting for you to have lunch," Loren replied, trying to stay calm.

"You’ll have to have lunch alone. I have too much to do here. I’ll talk to you later," Morgan said before abruptly ending the call.

Loren was irritated when she heard the busy signal. Anger built up inside her as she thought about Morgan ignoring their plans and hanging up on her. She muttered to herself:

"If you think you can just push me aside, you’re sorely mistaken, Morgan."

Loren grabbed her purse and headed downstairs, her mind still boiling from the conversation with Morgan. In the living room, she asked the housekeeper to take care of the baby while she was out. As she left, she saw Matias in the garden and approached him.

“Is your niece arriving tomorrow?” Loren asked.

“Yes, ma’am. She’s already on her flight,” Matias replied.

“Great. I need her here immediately. I hope she’s good with children,” Loren said.

“She is, ma’am. She likes children,” Matias assured her.

“Good, thanks,” Loren said before getting into her car.

She drove purposefully towards her father's house, her mind already planning the next steps of her afternoon.

Loren drove with intent through the city streets, the sound of the tires humming softly over the asphalt. The sky was overcast, giving a gray hue to the urban landscape. She passed busy avenues and commercial buildings, keeping her focus on the road ahead.

Arriving at her father's imposing mansion, with its grand stone facades and tall windows, she saw the wrought-iron gate open automatically, revealing a cobblestone path leading to the main entrance.

She parked the car near the marble staircase that rose before the house. The surrounding garden was meticulously maintained, with neatly trimmed shrubs and colorful flowers contrasting with the mansion’s sober tone.

Loren exited the car and walked towards the entrance. Upon reaching the mansion’s door, she was greeted by Miriã, the housekeeper who had worked there for years. Miriã, a middle-aged woman with an air of efficiency and kindness, opened the door with a warm smile.

“Loren, it’s a pleasure to see you!” Miriã said, her voice soft and friendly. “Your father is in his office. Would you like me to let him know you’ve arrived?”

“Yes, please, Miriã. Tell him I’m here,” Loren replied as Miriã led her inside the house.

“Your father showed me the photo of your daughter; she’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. My father is all thrilled about the arrival of his granddaughter.”

“Yes, he always wanted to be a grandfather, he and the late wife, may she rest in peace.”

“She would be very happy if she were here, along with my brother,” Loren said with a sad voice.

Miriã informed Carlo that Loren had arrived. Loren entered the living room, a spacious and elegant area with comfortable sofas and a lit fireplace, where she sat to wait for her father. She looked around, reminiscing about the familiar environment she had known since childhood.

“My dear daughter,” Dom Carlo said, hugging her.

“I missed you, Dad. How are you?” Loren asked.

“I’m well, my daughter. And you? How is our little one?”

“She’s fine; she sleeps like an angel at night. I’m okay, Dad, but I’m upset. I thought that with the baby’s arrival, Morgan would be at my feet, but none of that happened.” Loren expressed her frustration.

“But is he treating you badly?” Dom Carlo asked, concerned.

“It’s not that, Dad. He simply doesn’t care about me. He doesn’t touch me or engage in any conversation without it being a monologue.”

“Are you in love with him? If that’s the case, it could jeopardize our plans.”

“I don’t know if I can say it’s love, but I can’t deny he means something to me. But I won’t let that make me forget what he did to my mother. It’s his fault she isn’t here. We’ll take everything from him.”

“That’s my daughter. I’m proud of you, don’t forget that. He’s acting this way because Laura is about to be a mother. No man will accept that his beloved runs into the arms of another, but he’ll come to his senses. We can’t waste this opportunity.”

“Dad, we need to act. If Morgan finds out that Laura’s baby isn’t Nick’s but his, he’ll run after her. Let the baby be born, let Laura spend a few days experiencing motherhood, then have someone kidnap the baby and ensure she never gets it back. That way, she’ll blame Morgan.”

“I’ll take care of everything, my daughter. Don’t worry. Now, go to your daughter; she’s still young and needs her mother nearby. I’ll visit you soon.”

“I’ll be waiting, Dad. I love you. Take care and remember to take your medicine.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself.”

Loren left her father's house with a renewed sense of joy and relief. The road ahead seemed clearer and more promising than ever. She knew her father’s plan was about to be set in motion, and it filled her with almost palpable satisfaction.

The sun shone brightly, and the warmth of the day seemed to echo her state of mind. Loren drove with confidence, her mind already anticipating the outcome she so desired. Soon, Laura and her child would be separated—a step Loren believed was crucial for her objectives.

The sound of the car engine and the swiftly passing scenery contributed to her sense of euphoria. She felt that each mile brought her closer to achieving her desire, a desire now within reach, thanks to her father’s carefully crafted plan.

---

Morgan was disoriented after discovering that Laura was in labor. Even though he had been drinking, the news consumed him completely. Desperate, he abandoned his work responsibilities and drove back home. Upon arriving, he rushed upstairs and entered the bedroom. There, he found the housekeeper feeding the baby since Loren had left. Without a second thought, Morgan picked up his daughter and began feeding her. Amidst the emotional turmoil, this act of care and responsibility seemed to be the only anchor of calm and connection in his life.

Hours passed slowly, and Morgan couldn't tear his eyes away from the clock, anxious for Loren’s return. With growing restlessness, he began calling her repeatedly, but the calls went to voicemail. The silence only heightened his anxiety, making each minute feel like an eternity. Meanwhile, he continued caring for the baby, trying to maintain his composure despite the rising frustration and concern.

---

Loren calls Nick while he’s preparing to enter the delivery room.

“Why are you calling me now?” he asks, tense with the anticipation of the baby’s arrival.

“I need to see you now,” she replies, bluntly.

“That’s impossible; I’m getting ready for the baby’s birth, which could happen any moment.”

“I don’t care about that. Either you find a way to see me now, or I’ll shout our secrets to the world.”

Nick, exasperated, asks, “How can you be so infuriating? Where are you?”

“I’m in the hospital parking lot. Come here.”

Before he could respond, she hung up, leaving Nick frustrated and torn between his responsibilities and Loren’s ultimatum.