Chapter 4 - THE FIANCÉE'S FIRST LIE
Isabella stared at the photograph for several seconds.
Then she laughed.
A brittle, unnatural sound.
“Dante, this is ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“I knew Daniel socially. Years ago.”
“You said you didn't remember him.”
“I didn't recognize the name immediately.”
Dante said nothing.
Isabella pushed back her chair.
“Are you interrogating me?”
“I'm asking about my dead brother.”
Her expression softened instantly.
A performance Dante had seen many times.
“Darling, I know Luca's death still hurts.”
“Answer the question.”
She looked at him.
“What question?”
“Why were you meeting Luca and Daniel?”
Isabella's eyes narrowed.
“It was a charity event.”
“Where?”
“I don't remember.”
Dante placed another photograph on the table.
It showed the same three people outside a private warehouse.
“Try again.”
Isabella went pale.
Dante leaned forward.
“Who took this picture?”
She stood.
“I won't sit here and be treated like a criminal.”
“Then don't behave like someone hiding a crime.”
Her face hardened.
“You're making a terrible mistake.”
Dante stood too.
“Perhaps.”
Isabella grabbed her handbag.
“My father will hear about this.”
“Tell him everything.”
She turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Is this because of the maid?”
Dante stared.
“What?”
“That woman and her child. They've been manipulating you.”
“Anna has nothing to do with this.”
Isabella laughed bitterly.
“You've let a servant's daughter turn you into a fool.”
Dante's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Leave Sophie out of it.”
Isabella stared at him.
Then smiled coldly.
“There he is.”
“Who?”
“The man who thinks he can protect everyone.”
She walked out.
Dante watched the door close.
Then he removed his engagement ring from the chain around his neck and placed it on the table.
For the first time, he seriously considered canceling the wedding.
Anna was folding towels in the laundry room when Isabella appeared.
“Miss Miller.”
Anna straightened.
“Miss Russo.”
“I understand you've become comfortable here.”
Anna lowered her eyes.
“I do my work.”
“And your daughter?”
“Sophie stays in her room when I'm working.”
Isabella smiled thinly.
“Except when she's bothering my fiancé.”
Anna swallowed.
“I've spoken to her.”
“Clearly not enough.”
Isabella stepped closer.
“Let me explain something. Dante Moretti is not a lonely millionaire waiting to rescue a poor widow.”
Anna's face warmed.
“I've never suggested that.”
“He has responsibilities. A family. A future.”
“I understand.”
“Then remember your place.”
Anna went still.
For years, she had learned to swallow insults because she couldn't afford to lose her job.
But something about Isabella's tone reminded her of the men who had threatened Daniel.
People who believed money made them untouchable.
Anna straightened.
“My place is wherever my daughter is safe.”
Isabella's smile vanished.
“Be careful.”
Anna met her eyes.
“Is that a threat?”
Isabella leaned closer.
“It's advice.”
Then she left.
That night, Dante found Anna sitting on a bench in the garden.
Sophie was asleep upstairs.
He approached quietly.
“May I sit?”
Anna looked up.
“It's your garden.”
“That wasn't what I asked.”
She smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
Dante sat beside her.
For a while, they watched the fountain.
Then he said, “Isabella spoke to you.”
Anna looked away.
“She was upset.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing important.”
Dante studied her.
“Anna.”
She sighed.
“She thinks I'm trying to take something from her.”
Dante looked toward the house.
“Are you?”
Anna turned sharply.
“No.”
He smiled faintly.
“I know.”
She stared.
“Then why ask?”
“Because I wanted you to hear me say I know.”
Anna's expression softened.
Dante continued.
“You've never asked me for anything beyond what Sophie needs.”
She looked down.
“I've needed help.”
“Needing help isn't the same as taking advantage.”
Anna's eyes filled.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then she whispered, “I don't know why you're being so kind to us.”
Dante looked toward the stars.
“Neither do I.”
He paused.
“Maybe I'm trying to become someone my brother would recognize.”
Anna touched his hand.
“I think he'd recognize you already.”
Dante turned toward her.
Their faces were close.
For one suspended moment, something changed.
Then Anna pulled back.
“You're engaged.”
Dante nodded.
“Yes.”
She stood.
“Good night, Mr. Moretti.”
May you like
He watched her walk away.
And realized that the woman who cleaned his house had shown him more honesty in one conversation than his fiancée had shown him in three years.
