Chapter 12 - The Father Nobody Mentioned
For twenty-two years, Elena had searched for her mother.
Now she was learning that the identity of her father was another secret the Morettis had buried.
Lucia sat beside her daughter in the assisted-living center's quiet garden.
Her hands trembled.
Elena held them gently.
"Mom, what do you mean my father took me?"
Lucia stared at the silver locket.
Her expression changed.
"That necklace."
Elena lifted it.
"You gave it to me."
Lucia nodded slowly.
"Your grandmother had two made."
She touched the cracked blue stone.
"One for me. One for my daughter."
Tears filled Elena's eyes.
"Who was my father?"
Lucia closed her eyes.
For a moment, Elena feared she wouldn't answer.
Then Lucia whispered, "Daniel."
"Daniel what?"
"Daniel Rossi."
Aleandro stepped closer.
His face changed.
"Daniel Rossi?"
Lucia looked toward him.
"Do you remember him?"
Aleandro nodded slowly.
"He worked for my father."
Elena felt cold.
"What did he do?"
"He managed financial accounts," Lucia whispered.
Rebecca, who had remained nearby, leaned forward.
"Was Daniel involved in the charitable transfers?"
Lucia nodded.
"At first, I thought he was helping me investigate them."
Elena swallowed.
"And then?"
Lucia began crying.
"He told me Antonio had ordered the accounts changed. He said Carlo was dangerous. He promised to take me and Elena somewhere safe."
A terrible silence followed.
Elena gripped her mother's hands.
"Did you trust him?"
"I loved him."
Her voice broke.
"I loved him so much."
Elena felt tears filling her eyes.
Lucia continued.
"Daniel said we should meet at Saint Jude's. He told me he'd arrange protection."
"What happened?"
Lucia's breathing quickened.
"He took Elena from my arms."
Elena stopped breathing.
"He said he would bring her inside while I parked the car."
Lucia began shaking.
"But when I returned, he was gone."
The nurse gently asked whether Lucia needed a break.
Elena nodded.
They waited until her breathing steadied.
Then Lucia continued.
"I searched for him. I called Antonio. I called Isabella. Nobody answered."
Her eyes filled with terror.
"Then someone struck me from behind."
Elena covered her mouth.
Lucia looked toward the willow tree.
"After that, I remember a hospital. A room. People calling me Laura."
Aleandro stood motionless.
Elena slowly turned toward him.
"Daniel Rossi worked for your father?"
Aleandro nodded.
"He was one of his financial advisers."
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know."
Rebecca took notes.
Lucia reached for Elena's face.
"My beautiful girl."
Elena began crying.
"I thought you didn't want me."
Lucia's expression crumpled.
"No."
She pulled Elena into her arms.
"Never."
For a long time, they held each other.
Then Lucia whispered, "I named you Elena."
Elena smiled through tears.
"I know."
"Because it means shining light."
Her voice trembled.
"You were my light."
Elena rested her forehead against her mother's.
For twenty-two years, she'd wondered whether anyone had ever loved her.
Now she knew.
But the reunion was interrupted when Detective Mitchell called.
Rebecca answered.
Her expression changed.
"What?"
Elena looked up.
Mitchell had found employment records for Daniel Rossi.
He'd disappeared from the Moretti organization shortly after Lucia was institutionalized.
But he hadn't died.
He'd changed his name.
Elena felt cold.
"What name?"
Rebecca looked toward Aleandro.
"Daniel Ross."
Aleandro frowned.
"That doesn't tell us much."
Rebecca continued.
"He moved into private financial consulting."
Elena swallowed.
"Where?"
Rebecca's expression darkened.
"New York."
A terrible silence followed.
Then she revealed the final detail.
"Daniel Ross has been employed by Leto's restaurant group for nine years."
Elena froze.
Leto's.
The restaurant where Isabella recognized her necklace.
And according to the employment records, Daniel Ross wasn't just another employee.
He was a silent investor.
May you like
The man who controlled the company employing Richard.
And suddenly, Elena understood that her father had been closer than anyone realized.
