Chapter 10 - The Woman Behind the Garden Wall
Isabella Bellini was alive.
And according to Daniel, she was hiding with Sofia in a small house outside Saratoga Springs.
Lorenzo wanted to drive there immediately.
But Daniel's attorney warned that the situation was complicated.
Adrian had allegedly manipulated legal records, arranged false identities, and used threats to control Isabella's movements.
The authorities needed to confirm the children's safety before anyone approached the property.
Lorenzo reluctantly agreed.
I watched him pace the hallway.
He looked like a man trying not to fall apart.
"She's alive," he whispered.
I stood beside him.
"I know."
"Eleven years."
His voice broke.
"I thought she was dead for eleven years."
I didn't know what to say.
Because I knew something else.
Something I hated admitting.
Part of me was afraid.
Afraid Isabella would return and Lorenzo would realize he still loved her.
Afraid the feelings growing between us would disappear the moment his past walked back through the door.
But I couldn't make his tragedy about my heartbreak.
He deserved to know his children.
And Isabella deserved to be safe.
That afternoon, investigators located the property.
A woman matching Isabella's description was seen leaving the house with a young girl.
Both appeared frightened but unharmed.
Authorities made contact.
Lorenzo received a call shortly afterward.
It was Isabella.
"Lorenzo."
He closed his eyes.
"Isabella."
"I'm safe."
His voice trembled.
"Are the children with you?"
"Sofia is. Daniel is coming back to us."
He pressed his hand against his forehead.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She began crying.
"Because Adrian convinced me you'd been killed."
Lorenzo went still.
"What?"
"He showed me photographs. Documents. A death certificate."
I stared at him.
The same lie had trapped them both.
Isabella continued.
"I believed you were dead for years."
Lorenzo sat slowly.
"Isabella..."
"I'm sorry."
"No."
He swallowed.
"You don't have to apologize for being frightened."
A long silence followed.
Then Isabella whispered:
"There's something else you need to know."
"What?"
"Adrian didn't only separate our family."
Lorenzo tightened his grip on the phone.
"He used my identity to transfer ownership of several Vitali properties."
"How?"
"Forged signatures."
Lorenzo's jaw hardened.
"And when I refused to sign another document, he threatened the children."
I looked toward Marco.
He was already taking notes.
Then Isabella said something that made Lorenzo's expression change completely.
"Lorenzo, Adrian wasn't working alone."
"Who helped him?"
She hesitated.
"Someone inside your office."
My stomach dropped.
Then Isabella whispered the name.
"Lucia."
May you like
The receptionist who smiled at me every morning.
The woman who knew every visitor, every appointment, and every secret conversation.
