Chapter 4 - The Mansion Behind the Iron Gates
Z
The following afternoon, Chloe arrived at Dominic's estate by public transportation.
The mansion stood behind iron gates on a wooded property north of Chicago. Security cameras followed her as she approached the entrance, and two armed guards examined her identification before allowing her inside.
Augustine, the elderly house manager, greeted her in the foyer.
“Miss Bennett. Mr. Russo has been expecting you.”
“Where's Mia?”
“In the conservatory.”
Chloe found the little girl sitting on a cushion beside a glass wall, drawing a row of flowers. When she saw Chloe, she abandoned the crayons and hurried over.
She stopped just before reaching her, as if remembering that adults sometimes changed their minds.
Chloe opened her arms without moving closer.
Mia stepped into them.
It was a small gesture, but the way the child relaxed made Chloe's throat tighten.
For the next hour, they drew pictures, played a matching game, and practiced signs. Mia knew far more than Chloe had initially realized. Her communication had not disappeared. It had simply become difficult for her to use around people who demanded immediate answers.
Dominic watched from the doorway.
He had expected a miracle.
Instead, he witnessed something much more difficult to purchase: trust.
When Mia struggled to express an idea, Chloe waited. When she made a mistake, Chloe repeated the sign without laughing. When Mia wanted a break, Chloe respected it.
No threats. No pressure. No promises that everything would be fixed by tomorrow.
After lunch, Chloe found Dominic studying a list of sign-language courses.
“You actually looked them up,” she said.
“I said I would.”
“Most people say a lot of things.”
“Most people aren't me.”
She raised an eyebrow.
He almost smiled.
Then Mia entered, carrying a framed photograph.
It showed Dominic, Isabella, and Mia on a beach. Isabella was laughing, her hair blowing across her face. Dominic's arm was wrapped around her shoulders.
Mia pointed at the woman.
“Mama,” Chloe said softly, signing the word.
Mia nodded.
Then she pointed at Dominic.
“Papa.”
Another nod.
Finally, she pointed toward the door.
“Gone?”
Chloe took a breath.
“Are you asking where Mama went?”
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
Dominic crossed the room, then stopped when he saw Chloe's raised hand.
Give her space.
He obeyed.
Chloe signed carefully.
Mama died. She isn't coming back. But you can remember her. You can talk about her. You can miss her.
Mia pressed the photograph against her chest.
Then she signed something slowly.
Papa cries.
Dominic's face changed.
He looked down at his hands.
Mia watched him, waiting.
Chloe signed his answer for him.
Papa misses Mama too.
Dominic swallowed.
“Yes,” he whispered. “Every day.”
Mia looked at Chloe, then at her father.
She crossed the room and held out the photograph.
Dominic accepted it with shaking fingers.
For the first time in months, his daughter sat beside him willingly.
They remained that way until the afternoon light faded.
Later, Dominic walked Chloe to the entrance.
“Thank you.”
“You don't have to thank me for spending time with her.”
“I do.”
He looked toward the conservatory.
“I thought protecting her meant keeping every painful thing away from her.”
“Children still feel the pain when nobody explains it.”
He nodded slowly.
Then he asked about the message Chloe had received.
Her smile vanished.
“You know about that?”
“I know someone threatened you.”
“I didn't tell you.”
“No. But you looked at your phone three times today, and each time your hands shook.”
Chloe stared at him.
“Did you have me investigated?”
“No.”
She studied his expression, searching for a lie.
He opened his hands.
“I promised I wouldn't.”
For reasons she couldn't explain, she believed him.
She showed him the message.
Dominic read it, and the warmth disappeared from his face.
“Did you know my wife?”
“No.”
“Did you know her name before last night?”
“No.”
He handed the phone back.
“Then someone is trying to frighten you into leaving.”
“Why?”
May you like
His gaze shifted toward the gates.
“Because somebody is afraid of what happens if you stay.”
