Chapter 5: The Child My Mother Protected
I wanted answers.
But Dante Rosselli was a man surrounded by secrets.
Every time he opened one door, another appeared behind it.
And somehow, every path led back to my mother.
We left the restaurant through a private entrance.
I expected fear.
I expected panic.
But strangely, I felt something else.
Confusion.
Because the man everyone called dangerous was carrying his baby carefully, making sure Leo’s tiny shoes didn’t fall off.
It didn’t match the stories.
It didn’t match the rumors.
Dante noticed me watching.
“What?””
I looked away.
“Nothing.””
“That’s not true.””
I sighed.
“You’re different with him.””
“With Leo?””
“Yes.””
A small silence passed.
“He’s the only person in my life who doesn’t know my name.””
I looked at him.
Dante continued walking.
“He doesn’t know what people say about me. He doesn’t care what I’ve done. He only knows that I’m his father.””
For a moment, I saw the man beneath the reputation.
Not a mafia boss.
Just a father.
We arrived at a private residence outside the city.
It wasn’t the dark mansion I imagined.
It was modern, quiet, surrounded by trees and security.
Inside, Dante placed Leo on a blanket.
The baby immediately reached for my hand.
I smiled despite myself.
“You really like me, don’t you?””
Leo laughed.
Dante watched.
“He never does that.””
“You said that already.””
“Because I still don’t understand it.””
I looked at him.
“Maybe babies are smarter than adults.””
A faint smile appeared.
Then it disappeared.
Dante opened the folder again.
“I need to show you something.””
Inside was an old letter.
The handwriting was familiar.
My mother’s.
I knew it instantly.
My hands shook.
“Where did you get this?””
“She left it with me.””
“You had this all along?””
“I didn’t know where to find you.””
I looked up.
“You knew I existed?””
Dante didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
I opened the letter.
The paper was old.
The ink faded.
But my mother’s words were clear.
*Dante, if you are reading this, then I failed to keep her away from this world.*
My heart stopped.
I continued reading.
*Alina must never know about the Rosselli family. She deserves a normal life. She deserves a chance to grow up without fear.*
I looked at Dante.
“She knew.””
“Yes.””
“She knew you would find me someday.””
“Yes.””
I swallowed.
“Why?””
Dante was silent.
Then he said:
“Because your mother knew Marco Vieri would come back.””
The room went cold.
“Who is Marco Vieri?””
Dante sat down.
“A man who wanted control over everything my family built.””
“And my mother?””
“She discovered he was planning something worse.””
“What?””
Dante looked toward Leo.
“He wanted to eliminate every Rosselli heir.””
I stared at the baby.
“You mean…”
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“Leo?””
Dante nodded.
“Your mother discovered the plan before anyone else.””
I looked back at the letter.
There was another line at the bottom.
One sentence I hadn’t noticed.
My hands started shaking.
*If Marco finds Alina, he will use her to reach the child.*
I looked up.
“Why would he use me?””
Dante didn’t answer.
Instead, he walked toward a locked cabinet.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs.
Dozens of them.
My mother.
Me as a child.
My apartment.
My school.
Pictures taken from far away.
I stepped back.
“How long have you been watching me?””
Dante’s expression changed.
“Those aren’t mine.””
I looked closer.
And then I saw the detail that made my stomach twist.
A photograph of me leaving work yesterday.
Taken outside L’Orso D’Oro.
Someone had been following me.
Someone close.
Dante picked up the picture.
“This was taken less than twenty-four hours ago.””
I whispered:
“Who took it?””
Dante stared at the image.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed after only five seconds.
“What happened?””
Silence.
Then:
“Say that again.””
I watched him carefully.
“What is it?””
Dante slowly lowered the phone.
And when he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.
“One of my men just found something.””
“What?””
He looked at me.
“The person who has been watching you…”
May you like
A pause.
“Has been inside my house.””
