Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR HER
Sophia arrived at Alejandro's office at nine the next morning.
Silas looked genuinely surprised.
“Miss Brooks.”
“I need to see him.”
Silas studied her face.
Then opened the door.
Alejandro stood near the windows.
When he heard her enter, he turned.
“Sophia.”
She held up the photograph.
“Who is this?”
Alejandro stared.
His face drained.
“Where did you get that?”
“Answer me.”
He approached slowly.
His eyes filled.
“Isabella.”
Sophia swallowed.
“And the baby?”
Alejandro looked at her.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then whispered, “I don't know.”
Sophia handed him the letter.
He read it.
Once.
Then again.
His hands began shaking.
He looked up.
“Your mother was Isabella?”
Sophia nodded.
Alejandro closed his eyes.
A sound escaped him.
Not quite a sob.
Not quite a laugh.
He stepped backward.
Then sat heavily in a chair.
For twenty-two years, he'd searched for his sister.
And now her daughter stood before him.
Alive.
Afraid.
And carrying the truth his family had buried.
Sophia watched him.
“Did you know about me?”
Alejandro shook his head.
“No.”
“Did you know she had a child?”
“No.”
She swallowed.
“Then why did she disappear?”
Alejandro looked toward the photograph.
His expression hardened.
“Because my father wanted her to marry a man she didn't love.”
Sophia stared.
He continued.
“She refused.”
“And?”
Alejandro swallowed.
“She planned to leave Sicily.”
Sophia's eyes filled.
“With my father?”
Alejandro nodded.
“Probably.”
She whispered, “What happened?”
Alejandro looked at her.
May you like
Then said the words that changed everything.
“I think my father had them taken.”
