Chapter 2 - THE MAN WAITING AT THE GATE
The stranger standing beside the black sedan knew Sophia's name before she spoke.
"Miss Bennett. We need to leave."
Sophia tightened her grip on her suitcase.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Daniel Mercer."
He appeared to be in his late fifties, with silver hair, a dark overcoat, and the tired expression of someone who hadn't slept properly in years.
"Your mother asked me to watch over you."
Sophia's stomach tightened.
"My mother died eleven months ago."
"I know."
"Then why are you here now?"
Daniel glanced toward the mansion.
"Because Isabella Conti came back."
Sophia took a step away.
"How do you know that?"
"Please. We don't have much time."
Elena appeared in the doorway.
"Daniel?"
The man looked at her.
They recognized each other immediately.
Elena covered her mouth.
"My God. You're alive."
Sophia turned between them.
"Will somebody please tell me what's happening?"
Daniel opened the passenger door.
"Your mother left instructions. If Isabella ever returned to this estate, I was supposed to get you out before sunrise."
Sophia stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because your mother died protecting something the Conti family has spent decades trying to recover."
He reached into his coat.
Sophia instinctively stepped back.
But he only produced an envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
In her mother's handwriting.
Sophia's breath caught.
She took it with trembling fingers.
Inside was a letter.
My darling Sophia,
If Daniel has given you this, then the past has finally caught up with us.
I know you will have questions.
I know you may hate me for keeping secrets.
But there is something you must understand.
I did not leave the Romano estate because I was afraid of Dante's father.
I left because I discovered what his business partners had done to a little girl.
Sophia stopped reading.
"A little girl?"
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Keep reading."
Her hands shook.
That girl survived. But the people responsible never stopped looking for her.
And sweetheart, the little girl was you.
Sophia looked up.
"That's impossible."
Daniel opened the car door wider.
"Your mother changed your identity when you were three."
Sophia could barely breathe.
"Who was I before?"
Daniel looked toward the mansion.
May you like
Then he said the name that would change her life.
"Sophia, your real last name isn't Bennett. It's Conti."
