Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN WHO HAD NOTHING TO HIDE
I stared at the photograph until my vision blurred.
"Why would anyone photograph us?"
Alessandro's expression was unreadable.
"I don't know."
Luca stood beside the desk.
"We've contacted the police about Bianca's disappearance and the threats."
I looked up.
"Are Emma and I in danger?"
Alessandro didn't answer immediately.
That frightened me more than anything.
Finally, he said:
"I think someone believes you found something important."
"But I didn't."
He looked at me.
"Emma did."
I thought about the little metal object.
A button.
Or something that looked like one.
"Could it have been a recording device?"
Luca nodded.
"Possibly."
I felt sick.
"Inside your office?"
Alessandro's eyes hardened.
"Someone may have been listening to private conversations."
I looked down.
"And Emma accidentally found it."
"Yes."
I closed my eyes.
My daughter had wandered into a room she wasn't supposed to enter.
She'd offered a cookie to a lonely man.
And somehow, she'd stumbled into a dangerous secret.
I stood.
"We have to leave."
Alessandro looked at me.
"Claire—"
"I can't risk her life."
He nodded slowly.
"You're right."
The answer surprised me.
He continued.
"Your daughter's safety comes first."
I swallowed.
"I don't have anywhere safe to go."
He considered that.
"Do you have family?"
"My aunt lives in Wisconsin."
"Can she help?"
"Maybe."
He nodded.
"Then call her."
I stared.
"You're not going to stop me?"
His expression softened.
"Claire, I don't own you."
Something tightened in my chest.
I hadn't realized how badly I needed to hear those words.
Then he added:
"If you'd prefer to leave, I'll arrange transportation and continue paying you through the end of the month."
I looked at him.
"Why?"
He seemed genuinely confused.
"Because you haven't done anything wrong."
I swallowed hard.
For years, every kindness had come with conditions.
My daughter's father had promised to help, then vanished when responsibility became inconvenient.
Employers had demanded gratitude for wages I'd earned.
And now this dangerous man was offering me the freedom to walk away.
I looked toward the playroom.
Emma was sitting on the rug, watching Mrs. Alvarez repair Buttons.
She was laughing.
For the first time in weeks, she looked completely happy.
I turned back to Alessandro.
"I'll call my aunt."
He nodded.
"But I want to understand what happened."
His expression sharpened.
"Claire, you don't owe me anything."
"I know."
May you like
I looked at him.
"That's why I'm asking."
