Chapter 7 - THE FATHER WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ASK
Dante wanted answers immediately.
He wanted to confront Isabella.
Demand the truth.
Make her explain every missing detail.
But I stopped him.
“Not in front of Leo.”
He looked at me.
“She's been lying.”
“Maybe. But Leo doesn't need another frightening scene.”
Dante closed his eyes.
I continued.
“Let investigators handle the evidence. And let Leo decide what he wants to share.”
He nodded slowly.
Then sat beside his son.
Leo was arranging blue stones again.
Dante watched him.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
Then he asked:
“Leo, can I sit here?”
Leo nodded.
Dante sat.
He looked uncomfortable.
As though he'd never learned how to enter his son's world without taking control of it.
After a while, he said:
“I miss your mom.”
Leo moved a stone.
“Me too.”
Dante's eyes filled.
He took a breath.
“Sometimes I don't know how to talk about her.”
Leo looked up.
“You can use words.”
I nearly smiled.
Dante did.
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“I suppose I can.”
Leo considered him.
Then said:
“You talk too loud.”
Dante blinked.
I looked down to hide my smile.
“Do I?”
Leo nodded.
“When you're angry.”
Dante's expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
Leo moved another stone.
“You can talk quiet.”
Dante lowered his voice.
“Like this?”
Leo nodded.
“Better.”
For the next twenty minutes, father and son arranged stones.
No questions.
No pressure.
Just time together.
When Leo finally looked at Dante and said, “You can come tomorrow,” I saw the man's eyes fill.
Later, Dante found me in the hallway.
“Thank you.”
I shook my head.
“You did that.”
He looked toward the library.
“I've spent years trying to protect him.”
“I know.”
“But I never asked what he needed.”
I considered his words.
“Now you can.”
Dante looked at me.
For a moment, something shifted between us.
Not fear.
Not gratitude.
Something quieter.
He reached toward my hand.
Then stopped.
“May I?”
I nodded.
He took it gently.
His palm was warm.
His expression was serious.
“Clara, I don't know what this becomes.”
I swallowed.
“Neither do I.”
He smiled faintly.
“But I know I want you here.”
My heart raced.
I looked toward the library.
“Then make sure Leo wants that too.”
Dante nodded.
May you like
“I will.”
And for the first time, I began to believe the man everyone feared might be capable of becoming someone different.
