Chapter Four: A Child Who Asked Too Much

Alessandro Romano had faced armed enemies, betrayal from trusted associates, and business rivals who would gladly see him destroyed. Yet nothing had prepared him for the little boy standing beside Isabella Moretti, looking at him with such extraordinary familiarity.

"Why do you look like the man in my dream?"

The question lingered between them.

Isabella immediately placed a hand on Leonardo's shoulder, attempting to guide him away from Alessandro.

"Leo, sweetheart, we need to go."

But Alessandro straightened, his attention fixed on the child.

"Wait a moment, Miss Moretti."

She stopped reluctantly.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Romano?"

Alessandro ignored her question and crouched slightly in front of Leonardo.

"What exactly did you dream about?"

Leonardo considered the question seriously.

"A big house with shiny floors. There was a man standing near a window, and he looked sad."

Something uncomfortable stirred inside Alessandro.

The description was strangely familiar.

"Did the man speak to you?"

Leonardo nodded.

"He said he was looking for someone."

Isabella felt her stomach tighten.

She had never told her son about the Romano estate, the mysterious night, or the man who had become the source of her greatest fear.

Children sometimes invented stories, she reminded herself.

This was merely a coincidence.

"Mr. Romano, I apologize," she interrupted. "Leonardo has a very active imagination."

Alessandro stood slowly.

"There's no need to apologize. I find him interesting."

That was precisely what frightened her.

Alessandro Romano was not a man who became interested in people without a reason.

He reached into his pocket and produced a small business card.

"Perhaps you could bring him to the estate sometime. My mother enjoys children."

Isabella stared at him.

"Thank you, but I don't think that will be necessary."

His expression hardened slightly.

"Is there a reason?"

"I prefer keeping my personal life separate from my work."

"That is your decision."

He stepped toward his vehicle, but before entering, he glanced at Leonardo once more.

"Goodbye, little man."

Leonardo waved cheerfully.

"Goodbye!"

Isabella hurried toward her car, hoping Alessandro would leave.

Unfortunately, he remained standing beside his vehicle.

"Miss Moretti."

She turned reluctantly.

"Yes?"

"I would like you to explain something tomorrow."

Her heart sank.

"What?"

"Why I have the strange feeling that I've met you before."

She forced a smile.

"Perhaps you have a very good memory for faces."

"Perhaps."

He entered his vehicle.

Isabella watched the black car disappear down the street before finally allowing herself to breathe.

That evening, Alessandro sat inside his private study, examining the photograph Marco had taken during Isabella's interview.

Something about her continued to disturb him.

He had experienced the same sensation when she entered his office, but seeing her beside the child had made the feeling considerably stronger.

"Marco."

His trusted friend entered immediately.

"You called?"

Alessandro pushed the photograph across the desk.

"Investigate Isabella Moretti."

Marco frowned.

"Again?"

"Her employment history, family background, previous residence, everything."

"We already checked her references."

"Then check them again."

Marco studied the photograph.

"Is there something specific you're looking for?"

Alessandro leaned back.

"I don't know yet."

He paused before adding, "Find out who the child's father is."

Marco's expression became thoughtful.

"Do you suspect something?"

"I suspect that Isabella is hiding something."

"Most people have secrets."

Alessandro's eyes darkened.

"Not everyone disappears for three years."

Marco fell silent.

He understood perfectly well what his friend meant.

The search for Isabella Moretti had never been ordinary.

Meanwhile, Isabella sat on the floor of her apartment, helping Leonardo arrange his toy cars.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Will the man come again?"

She paused.

"What man?"

"The one who looks like me."

Isabella forced herself to smile.

"Perhaps."

Leonardo continued playing.

"He's nice."

She looked away.

"You don't know him, Leo."

"Then why does he look like me?"

The question was innocent, but it struck her harder than anything Alessandro had said.

She had spent three years convincing herself that she could protect her son from the consequences of that night.

Now Alessandro was standing directly in front of them.

And Leonardo was already fascinated by him.

The following morning, Isabella arrived at Romano International earlier than usual.

She hoped to settle into her new responsibilities before Alessandro began questioning her again.

Unfortunately, her hopes were immediately destroyed when Marco approached her reception desk.

"Miss Moretti."

She turned.

"Good morning."

"Mr. Romano wants to see you."

Her fingers tightened around the documents she was holding.

"Now?"

"Immediately."

She followed him toward the executive office, attempting to control her anxiety.

Alessandro was standing behind his desk when she entered.

"Close the door," he instructed.

She obeyed.

He gestured toward the chair.

"Sit down."

Isabella remained standing.

"Is this about yesterday?"

"Partly."

He opened a folder and removed a photograph.

It was an old picture taken during a gathering at the Romano estate three years earlier.

Isabella recognized the room immediately.

Her face went pale.

Alessandro noticed.

"Have you ever attended a gathering at my estate?"

She stared at the photograph.

Then she looked at him.

"No."

Alessandro slowly placed the photograph on the desk.

"Interesting."

He leaned forward.

"Because someone in this photograph looks remarkably similar to you."

Isabella's heart began pounding.

And as Alessandro turned the photograph toward her, she realized that the past she had desperately tried to bury was finally beginning to catch up with her.