TWENTY ONE : A FATHERS WARNING

Alessandro left the bedroom early the following morning.

Isabella was still asleep when he dressed, adjusted his watch and picked up his phone.

He paused beside the bed, looking at her peaceful face.

He had promised her that he would be honest, but he wasn't entirely sure what his father wanted to discuss. Whatever it was, he didn't want it disturbing her morning.

He bent down and kissed her forehead before leaving.

---

Don Vittorio was already seated behind his large mahogany desk when Alessandro entered the family estate.

“You're late.”

Alessandro glanced at his watch.

“I'm three minutes early.”

“Then perhaps I've become impatient in my old age.”

Alessandro pulled out a chair and sat down.

“What is this about?”

His father pushed a folder across the desk.

“Your wife.”

Alessandro's expression hardened slightly.

“What about her?”

Vittorio opened the folder.

“I've been receiving questions about her.”

“From whom?”

“Some of our business associates. They want to know why you have suddenly become so generous with a woman who, until recently, was practically a stranger to you.”

Alessandro leaned back.

“And why should I concern myself with their opinions?”

“Because they are watching you.”

“They have always watched me.”

“Yes, but now they have something new to watch.”

Vittorio closed the folder.

“You bought a shopping mall yesterday.”

Alessandro said nothing.

“And transferred ownership to Isabella.”

“That's correct.”

“Do you understand how that looks?”

“I wasn't aware I needed your approval before spending my money.”

Vittorio's eyes narrowed.

“Don't be childish. I'm not questioning your ability to purchase property. I'm questioning your judgment.”

Alessandro's jaw tightened.

“My judgment is perfectly fine.”

“Is it?”

His father stood and walked towards the window.

“You married that girl because her father offered her as part of a debt settlement. You barely knew her. Now you're giving her assets, bringing her into business discussions and allowing her to influence decisions that once concerned only this family.”

Alessandro rose slowly.

“Isabella isn't influencing my business decisions.”

“Not yet.”

The two men stared at each other.

Then Vittorio spoke again.

“Do you love her?”

The question caught Alessandro off guard.

He looked at his father.

“Why does that matter?”

“Because I know my son. You have never been a man who gives without expecting something in return. Yet you seem determined to give this woman everything.”

Alessandro looked away briefly.

“I don't owe you an explanation about my marriage.”

“No. But you owe yourself an honest answer.”

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Alessandro returned to his chair.

“I care about her.”

Vittorio studied him.

“Care?”

“More than I expected to.”

His father sighed.

“Then you have something to lose.”

Alessandro's expression became cold.

“Everyone has something to lose, Father.”

“Not everyone allows it to sit at their breakfast table.”

---

Back at the mansion, Isabella was having breakfast with Maria when her phone rang.

It was Alessandro.

“Good morning,” she answered, smiling.

“Good morning, sweetheart. Have you eaten?”

“I'm eating now.”

“Good. I'll be back soon.”

She hesitated.

“Is everything all right?”

There was a brief silence.

“Yes. Why?”

“You sounded different when you left this morning.”

He chuckled softly.

“You notice too much.”

“Perhaps.”

“I'll explain when I get home.”

After the call ended, Isabella placed her phone beside her plate.

Maria smiled.

“Your husband seems very concerned about whether you have eaten.”

Isabella blushed.

“He always asks.”

“That's a good thing, Mrs. Moretti.”

Isabella lowered her eyes, smiling to herself.

She was still getting used to being cared for without having to ask for it.

---

Alessandro returned shortly before noon.

He found Isabella in the sitting room with a notebook open on her lap.

“What are you working on?”

She looked up.

“I'm making notes about the businesses you showed me.”

He approached and glanced at the pages.

There were questions about investments, company management and property ownership.

“You've been busy.”

“I want to understand more.”

He smiled and sat beside her.

“That's good.”

She closed the notebook.

“How was your meeting with your father?”

Alessandro loosened his tie.

“Predictable.”

“Did he say something about me?”

He looked at her.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because he said he wanted to discuss something concerning me.”

Alessandro considered avoiding the subject, but remembered his conversation with his father.

“He thinks I'm giving you too much.”

Isabella blinked.

“Too much what?”

“Freedom. Money. Influence.”

Her expression changed.

“Does he think I asked you to buy the mall?”

“No. He knows I made that decision myself.”

She looked down at her hands.

“I hope he doesn't think I'm taking advantage of you.”

Alessandro turned towards her.

“Look at me.”

She slowly raised her eyes.

“You are not taking advantage of me. Do you understand?”

She nodded.

“And you don't need to justify every gift I give you.”

“But I don't want your family thinking I'm with you because of your money.”

His expression softened.

“Then let them watch us. They'll eventually understand.”

She gave a small nod.

After a moment, she asked, “Did he ask if you loved me?”

Alessandro went still.

Isabella's cheeks turned pink.

“You don't have to answer.”

He reached for her hand.

“He asked.”

“And what did you say?”

“I told him I care about you.”

She looked at him quietly.

“Is that all?”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Would you prefer a longer answer?”

She shook her head quickly.

“No.”

He chuckled.

Then he brought her hand to his lips.

“I'm still learning how to say these things, Isabella. But I know I don't want to go back to the way my life was before you.”

Her eyes softened.

She leaned closer and rested her head against his shoulder.

For a while, neither spoke.

---

Later that afternoon, Alessandro received another call from his father.

He answered while standing in his study.

“Father?”

“The family foundation dinner is approaching. Your mother wants Isabella involved in the arrangements.”

“She's already spoken to Isabella.”

“Good. Then I expect you both to attend.”

“We will.”

Vittorio paused.

“And Alessandro?”

“Yes?”

“Bring your wife to the estate next Saturday. I want to speak with her.”

Alessandro frowned.

“About what?”

“About the Moretti family.”

“She's already part of it.”

“I know. That's precisely why I want to speak with her.”

The call ended.

Alessandro stared at his phone for a moment.

He wasn't sure what his father had planned, but he knew Vittorio well enough to understand that the older man rarely did anything without a purpose.

When he returned to the sitting room, Isabella was arranging flowers in a vase.

He watched her for a moment before speaking.

“Sweetheart, we're going back to my father's house next Saturday.”

She turned.

“Another family lunch?”

“Something like that.”

She smiled.

“Should I be worried?”

Alessandro walked towards her and placed a hand around her waist.

“No.”

But as he kissed her forehead, his thoughts returned to his father's words.

You have something to lose.

For the first time in years, Alessandro realised that his father might be right.

And that frightened him far more than he was willing to admit.