Chapter 2 - THE NAME NOBODY WAS ALLOWED TO SAY
Valentina stumbled toward Sophia.
“Your mother's name was Lucia?”
Sophia took a step backward.
“Yes.”
“Lucia what?”
Sophia hesitated.
“Lucia Bell.”
Gabriel Bellini closed his eyes.
Aleandro noticed.
“You know that name?”
The violinist nodded slowly.
“Lucia Romano used Bell after she left New York.”
Valentina began shaking.
Sophia stared.
“My mother never told me she was a Romano.”
Valentina reached toward her.
Sophia pulled Emma closer.
“Please don't touch my daughter.”
Valentina stopped.
For the first time that evening, she looked ashamed.
Aleandro stepped between them.
“Everyone, the celebration is over.”
A murmur swept through the ballroom.
His father-in-law-to-be, Vittorio Romano, approached immediately.
“Aleandro, don't be ridiculous.”
Aleandro turned.
“Your daughter has had enough attention for one evening.”
Vittorio's expression hardened.
“You don't dismiss my guests.”
Aleandro held his gaze.
“In my house, I do.”
The guests began leaving.
Whispers followed them through the corridors.
Sophia wanted to disappear.
She had never imagined that a three-year-old's dance could expose a family secret.
She had only wanted to finish her shift and take Emma home.
Aleandro approached quietly.
“Miss…”
“Bell,” she said. “Sophia Bell.”
He nodded.
“Miss Bell, I'd like to speak with you.”
Sophia glanced toward the kitchen.
“I need to collect my things.”
“Of course.”
Valentina stood nearby, still crying.
Sophia looked at her.
“You humiliated my daughter.”
Valentina flinched.
“I know.”
“You pointed at a child because you thought everyone would laugh.”
Valentina lowered her eyes.
Sophia's voice shook.
“She's three years old.”
Aleandro watched.
He had seen Valentina insult servants before.
He'd dismissed it as arrogance.
Now he understood how cruel she could be.
Sophia turned toward him.
“I don't want trouble.”
“You haven't caused any.”
She laughed bitterly.
“People like me always get blamed when people like you have problems.”
Aleandro said nothing.
Sophia gathered Emma's blanket and stuffed rabbit.
Then she left through the staff entrance.
Valentina watched her go.
Then whispered:
“She looks like Lucia.”
Aleandro turned.
“What?”
Valentina covered her mouth.
“Her eyes.”
Vittorio approached.
“Enough.”
Valentina stared at her father.
“You told me Lucia was dead.”
Vittorio's expression changed.
Aleandro noticed immediately.
Valentina continued.
“You said she died overseas.”
Vittorio looked toward the empty ballroom.
“Not here.”
Aleandro stepped closer.
“Then where?”
May you like
Vittorio's jaw tightened.
“Because if you've been lying to my fiancée about her sister for twenty-six years, I think it's time we had a conversation.”
