Chapter 4 - Vittorio Left One Locked Drawer
Alessandro went to his father’s old study.
The room had remained almost untouched since Vittorio died.
Mr. Bruno stood beside him.
“Did you know?”
Bruno looked devastated.
“No.”
Alessandro believed him.
Vittorio compartmentalized secrets even inside his own household.
They searched the desk.
Nothing.
Then Bruno remembered a drawer in the private records room that Vittorio
never allowed staff to touch.
The key was missing.
Alessandro had the lock opened.
Inside were photographs.
Rosa outside the clinic.
Rosa boarding a bus.
Rosa holding newborn Lily outside a church.
Alessandro sat down.
His father had watched them for years.
There were also payments.
Not to Rosa.
To a private security company.
Vittorio had secretly paid for surveillance around Rosa’s apartment.
Alessandro’s anger became complicated.
His father had threatened Rosa into silence.
Then protected her from a distance.
Control disguised as protection.
Protection enforced through fear.
Alessandro knew the pattern too well.
At the bottom of the drawer was a sealed envelope.
ALESSANDRO — IF THE ROMANO AGREEMENT RETURNS.
Inside was one page.
Vittorio wrote that Lily’s existence must never become part of a
marriage negotiation.
He admitted he had forced Rosa away.
Then one sentence stopped Alessandro.
Vincent knows there was a child. I do not believe he knows where she is.
May you like
Alessandro stood.
Isabella’s father had known for years.
