Chapter 2 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T HIS
Luciano carried the enrollment packet into his study and placed it beneath the desk lamp.
The signature looked convincing.
Almost perfect.
But he knew his own handwriting. He signed contracts worth millions every week, and the forged authorization lacked the small upward stroke he always added to the letter L.
“Who prepared this?” he demanded.
Celina followed him inside.
“You're overreacting. It was only a preliminary arrangement.”
“For sending my six-year-old daughter away?”
“She needs specialized care.”
“What care?”
Celina hesitated.
“Emotional adjustment. Behavioral support. A structured environment.”
Luciano stared at her.
“Ellie has never been in trouble. Her teacher says she's one of the kindest children in her class.”
“She cries whenever you leave the house. She follows you everywhere. She can't even tolerate the idea of you marrying me.”
“She lost her mother two years ago!”
“And now she has to learn that you're allowed to have a life.”
Luciano's voice dropped.
“Not at the cost of abandoning my child.”
Celina's eyes filled with tears.
“I have sacrificed everything for this relationship. I have waited while you put Ellie first in every decision.”
“She is my daughter. Putting her first is my responsibility.”
Celina turned away, pretending to wipe her eyes.
Then Marianne entered with another document.
“This packet includes a medical assessment,” she said. “But the doctor listed here has never treated Ellie.”
Luciano snatched the page.
The assessment claimed Ellie displayed severe separation anxiety and recommended immediate residential placement.
There was no examination date.
No verified patient history.
Only a doctor's name and a signature.
“Call the clinic,” Luciano ordered.
Marianne did.
Five minutes later, she hung up.
“The doctor says he never evaluated Ellie. Someone requested a blank letterhead from his office three weeks ago.”
Luciano looked at Celina.
She went very still.
“You forged a medical assessment?”
“I didn't forge anything!”
“Then explain it.”
Celina's voice rose.
“You don't understand what it's like living with a child who resents me!”
Ellie stood in the doorway, clutching her teddy bear.
“I don't hate you,” she whispered.
Celina spun around.
“Go to your room!”
Ellie flinched.
Luciano immediately stepped between them.
“Don't you ever speak to her like that again.”
For the first time, Celina looked frightened.
But the fear quickly hardened into anger.
“You're going to destroy our wedding over a misunderstanding?”
Luciano held up the forged authorization.
“No. I'm going to find out why my fiancée arranged to send my daughter away without my consent.”
Celina stared at the paperwork.
Then she whispered, “You should ask your lawyer about the trust.”
Luciano's stomach tightened.
“What trust?”
Celina smiled faintly.
May you like
“Ask him what happens when a child's guardian becomes unavailable.”
Why was Celina suddenly talking about guardianship—and what did she know about Ellie's inheritance?
