Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO COULDN'T AFFORD TO RUN
Sophia wanted to leave.
She wanted to take Emma, catch the subway to Queens, lock their apartment door, and never return.
But fear had a practical side.
Rent was due in six days.
Her checking account contained less than four hundred dollars.
Her mother needed medication.
And Emma's preschool had already warned that another missed payment would result in suspension.
Sophia sat in the staff kitchen, staring at her phone.
She had been working for Alessandro Moretti for four months.
The salary was better than any other housekeeping position she'd found.
But the house frightened her.
Not because Alessandro had ever been cruel to her.
Because everyone around him behaved as though cruelty could arrive without warning.
Alessandro found her there after dinner.
Emma was asleep on a padded bench beside her, yellow raincoat folded beneath her head.
Sophia stood immediately.
“Mr. Moretti.”
“Sit.”
She hesitated.
He pulled out a chair across from her.
“I owe you an apology.”
Sophia stared.
“For what?”
“For employing a man who made you afraid to bring your daughter to work.”
She looked down.
“Vincent said children weren't allowed.”
“I wasn't aware he had made that rule.”
Sophia swallowed.
“He said you didn't like noise.”
Alessandro smiled faintly.
“I don't.”
Then he looked at Emma.
“But apparently I tolerate artists.”
Sophia laughed despite herself.
He became serious.
“You're not required to remain here.”
Sophia's smile faded.
“If you want to leave, you'll receive your wages and any benefits owed. If you want to stay temporarily while the investigation continues, we'll arrange safe accommodations.”
She studied him.
“Why?”
“Because your daughter witnessed something dangerous.”
Sophia looked toward Emma.
“And because you shouldn't have to choose between protecting her and paying your rent.”
Her eyes filled.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then whispered:
“I don't know what to do.”
Alessandro nodded.
“Then don't decide tonight.”
He arranged for Sophia and Emma to stay in a secure guest suite with independent access to legal advice and the option to leave whenever they wished.
He also instructed Nicholas to ensure Emma was never questioned without Sophia's consent and appropriate professional guidance.
That night, Sophia lay beside her daughter.
Emma slept peacefully.
Sophia stared at the ceiling.
For years, she'd believed powerful men were dangerous because they could take things away.
Now she had met one who seemed to understand that real power included the ability to let someone choose.
But she still didn't trust him.
Not yet.
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And she had no idea that Vincent Romano had already made a phone call.
A phone call that would put both her and Emma in danger.
