Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO OWNED THE PORTS
Aleandro Moretti had built his reputation on control.
He controlled contracts.
Negotiations.
Disputes.
And the loyalty of men who feared disappointing him.
But he had never controlled his own engagement.
The marriage to Valentina Romano had been arranged to unite business interests.
It was practical.
Profitable.
Emotionally empty.
After the ballroom incident, Aleandro began asking questions.
His attorney uncovered old property records.
Private clinic documents.
Payments made through Romano family companies.
One payment stood out.
A large transfer to a doctor shortly after Lucia's disappearance.
Aleandro stared.
“What was this for?”
His attorney shook his head.
“We don't know yet.”
Aleandro looked toward the harbor.
He thought of Sophia.
The way she'd held Emma.
The way she'd stood up to Valentina despite having everything to lose.
He thought of the little girl dancing barefoot.
And something inside him shifted.
For years, he'd believed strength meant making people afraid.
Now he wondered whether real strength meant refusing to let fear decide everything.
He contacted Sophia.
She almost didn't answer.
When she did, her voice was cautious.
“Mr. Moretti?”
He spoke quietly.
“I think I can help you find your family.”
Sophia went silent.
Then asked:
“Why would you?”
Aleandro looked toward the empty ballroom.
“Because I should have stopped what happened to your daughter.”
May you like
He paused.
“And because I think your mother was wronged by people who believed money made them untouchable.”
