Chapter 20 - The Visitor at the Gate
The morning mist was still clinging to the wrought-iron gates of the Moretti estate when security supervisor Victor Hale approached the main house with a measured, serious stride. I was sitting in the sunlit breakfast nook with Leo, helping him construct a remarkably unstable tower out of wooden building blocks, while Dominic read the morning financial briefs across the table.
Victor knocked once on the open French doors before stepping inside. "Mr. Moretti, Mrs. Moretti. Apologies for the early interruption."
Dominic lowered his tablet, his eyes narrowing slightly at Victor’s formal posture. "What is it, Victor?"
"We received notification from the Devens facility and federal parole board," Victor stated plainly. "Derek Montgomery is scheduled for early release next month due to good behavior and completion of federal rehabilitation programs. His legal counsel has filed a preliminary petition seeking a modification of the custody agreement to permit supervised visitation with Master Leo."
The room seemed to drop ten degrees. Leo continued playing with his blocks, completely oblivious to the name that had once haunted our household.
Dominic stood up slowly from the table, his presence filling the room with an immediate, predatory stillness. "File an emergency counter-motion with Maren Ellis immediately. Under no circumstances will a convicted white-collar felon with a history of domestic abuse and harassment come within a mile of my son."
"Already anticipated, sir," Victor nodded firmly. "Maren has prepared an ironclad injunction. Furthermore, the psychological evaluation mandates that any contact would cause severe emotional distress to the child, given that Mr. Montgomery has played no active role in his life and is legally recognized as a disruptive, dangerous entity."
I placed my hand gently on Dominic’s forearm, feeling the coiled tension in his muscles. I took a deep, steady breath, looking up into his hardened ice-blue eyes.
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"Let him file his petitions, Victor," I said, my voice remarkably calm and steady. "Let him spend every last cent he has left trying to fight a legal system he doesn't understand. A man who spent his life building houses of cards has no foundation to stand on in a court of law. We won't let him disrupt our peace."
Dominic looked down at me, the harsh lines of his expression softening as he saw the absolute, unshakeable strength in my eyes. He placed his hand over mine, squeezing gently. "You're right. He’s a ghost trying to haunt a fortress he can't even touch."
