Chapter 12 - THE DAUGHTER WHO ASKED THE HARDEST QUESTION
A year after the betrayal, Isabella turned ten.
Lorenzo organized a small birthday party.
No ballroom.
No celebrities.
No elaborate displays.
Just her friends.
A chocolate cake.
And a telescope she'd wanted for months.
Sophie attended.
She brought Isabella a handmade scrapbook filled with photographs of stars and constellations.
Isabella squealed.
"Miss Sophie!"
She hugged her.
Sophie laughed.
"Happy birthday."
Later, Isabella pulled Lorenzo aside.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask something?"
He knelt.
"Anything."
She looked toward Sophie.
"Are you going to marry her?"
Lorenzo nearly laughed.
Then saw how serious she was.
He swallowed.
"Sweetheart, Sophie and I are still getting to know each other."
Isabella nodded.
"But you love her?"
He hesitated.
Then smiled.
"I care about her very much."
Isabella looked down.
"Would that make Mommy angry?"
Lorenzo felt his chest tighten.
Camila's relationship with Isabella had become complicated after the investigation.
Their contact was governed by legal arrangements and professional recommendations.
Lorenzo never spoke badly about Camila to his daughter.
But he also refused to pretend the past hadn't happened.
"Your mother is responsible for her own feelings," he said gently.
Isabella nodded.
"And you're allowed to love people who make you feel safe."
She looked up.
"Even if Mommy doesn't like them?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
The little girl thought about this.
Then whispered:
"Miss Sophie makes me feel safe."
Lorenzo's eyes filled.
"I know."
That evening, Sophie found him standing beside the garden.
"Everything okay?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
She studied him.
"You look emotional."
He laughed softly.
"Isabella asked me a difficult question."
Sophie raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be worried?"
He smiled.
"Not unless you're afraid of ten-year-olds."
She laughed.
He reached for her hand.
"Sophie, I don't want to rush you."
She nodded.
"I know."
"But I need you to know something."
Her expression softened.
"What?"
He swallowed.
"I'm falling in love with you."
Sophie stared.
For a moment, she didn't speak.
Then her eyes filled.
"Enzo..."
He smiled faintly.
"You don't have to say anything."
She shook her head.
"I want to."
She stepped closer.
"I think I'm falling in love with you too."
He kissed her.
Gently.
Carefully.
May you like
As though the moment deserved patience.
And for the first time in years, Lorenzo Moretti felt loved without wondering what it would cost him.
