His Wealthy Fiancée Forced His Secret Child's Mother to Work in the Kitchen

The cold, stainless-steel kitchen of L'Etoile was usually a sanctuary for Elena, but tonight it felt like a prison. Clad in her charcoal grey apron, tears streamed down her face, mixing with the water in the prep sink. Her cheek throbbed where the emerald ring had caught her skin. Just as she wiped her eyes, the heavy double doors burst open.

Matteo, looking striking in his tailored charcoal suit, rushed in. His eyes scanned the room and locked onto Elena's trembling form.

"Elena, what are you doing here?"

he gasped, his voice laced with panic.

Elena tried to turn away, hiding her bruised face.

"Matteo, what are you doing here? You should be out at the engagement gala,"

she whispered.

Before Matteo could answer, a sharp, patronizing voice cut through the hum of the refrigerators. Victoria stepped out from the shadows of the pantry, looking breathtaking yet venomous in a floor-length emerald green gown. She waved a manicured hand dismissively.

"Come on, overreacting. She's just trying to help,"

Victoria said with a cold smirk.

Matteo ignored his fiancée, stepping closer to Elena. He gently reached out, cupping her chin and tilting her face toward the harsh kitchen lights. His breath hitched when he saw the dark bruise forming on her cheek.

"Look at me,"

Matteo commanded softly, his eyes filled with pain.

"Do you really want to stay down here? What happened to you, Elena?"

Tears spilled over her lashes as she looked into the eyes of the man she had loved in secret for five years.

"No,"

she wept.

"She said I belong in this kitchen because I'm the mother of your daughter. She said if I ever spoke up, she would make sure I never saw Lily again."

Matteo froze. The revelation hit him like a physical blow. He slowly turned toward Victoria, his face contorting into absolute fury.