One photograph showed Alessandro holding Clara when she was only three months old.
He looked at it before turning toward Marco.
"What have you found?"
Marco placed a folder on the desk.
"Richard Hayes has been meeting with several men connected to the Romano organization."
Alessandro opened the folder.
There were photographs, financial records, and copies of messages.
"How long?"
"At least eight months."
Alessandro studied the documents.
"Does Daniel know?"
"We believe he discovered the arrangement approximately three months ago."
"That would explain Clara's disappearance."
Marco nodded.
"There is something else."
"What?"
"Richard Hayes has been asking questions about the Moretti family estate."
Alessandro closed the folder.
"Why?"
"We believe he wants to force Clara to contact Daniel."
Alessandro stood.
"Does he know she's here?"
"We don't think so."
"Then keep it that way."
Marco hesitated.
"Don, we should move her somewhere more secure."
"No."
"Sir?"
"My daughter has spent months hiding. She will not spend the rest of her pregnancy running from people who think they can frighten her."
Alessandro walked toward the window.
"Increase security around the estate. Quietly. I don't want her worrying."
"Understood."
"And find Daniel Hayes."
"Alive?"
Alessandro looked at him.
"Of course alive. He's the father of my grandchild."
Marco nodded.
"I'll arrange it."
...
That afternoon, Clara sat in the garden with Isabella.
The sun was warm.
A gentle breeze moved through the trees.
For the first time in months, Clara was able to relax.
Isabella brought her a glass of fresh juice.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good. You need to take care of yourself."
Clara smiled.
"I know."
Isabella sat beside her.
"Your father has already ordered a complete nursery."
Clara laughed.
"What?"
"He called three interior designers this morning."
"Three?"
"Apparently, one was not enough."
Clara covered her mouth.
"That's so embarrassing."
Isabella smiled.
"He also asked whether the baby would need a private security room."
Clara laughed harder.
"He's impossible."
"He loves you."
"I know."
Isabella looked at her.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Are you happy about the baby?"
Clara looked down at her belly.
Her expression softened.
"More than anything."
"Even with everything happening?"
"Yes."
She gently rubbed her stomach.
"Sometimes I'm scared, but when I feel the baby move, I remember that I have something beautiful to look forward to."
Isabella smiled.
"Your mother would have been proud."
Clara looked up.
"I wish she were here."
"I know, darling."
"She always told me that my father loved me more than anything. I used to think she was exaggerating."
Isabella laughed softly.
"She wasn't."
Clara looked toward the mansion.
"He's different now."
"Different how?"
"He looks older."
Isabella became quiet.
"He has spent three months worrying about you."
Clara's eyes filled.
"I don't want him to suffer because of me."
Isabella took her hand.
"Then let him be your father."
...
That evening, Alessandro received a phone call.
It was from an unknown number.
He answered.
"Moretti."
A young man's voice responded.
"Mr. Moretti?"
"Who is this?"
"My name is Daniel Hayes."
Alessandro's expression hardened.
He had been waiting for this call.
"Where are you?"
"I'm outside the city."
"Why?"
"Because I need to speak to you about Clara."
Alessandro remained silent.
Daniel continued.
"I know she came home."
"How?"
"She told me she was going to find you before she left."
Alessandro looked toward the garden.
"Why didn't you come with her?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Because I was being followed."
"By whom?"
"My father's men."
Alessandro's voice became colder.
"Did you know what your father was doing?"
"Not at first."
"Did you introduce yourself to my daughter knowing who I was?"
"No, sir."
"Did you lie to her?"
Daniel took a breath.
"Never about how I felt."
Alessandro said nothing.
Daniel continued.
"I love Clara. I wanted to marry her. I still do."
Alessandro looked down.
"Then why did she have to face everything alone?"
The question silenced Daniel.
"I tried to protect her."
"Protection is not disappearing when someone needs you."
"I know."
Alessandro closed his eyes.
He was not interested in hearing excuses.
He wanted to know whether the young man was capable of protecting his daughter.
"Listen carefully, Daniel. My daughter is pregnant. She is exhausted, frightened, and recovering from months of stress."
"I know."
"If you care about her, you will stop making promises and start telling me the truth."
Daniel agreed.
Alessandro continued.
"Come to the estate tomorrow morning. I want to meet you."
"Yes, sir."
"And Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"If you hurt my daughter, I will be very disappointed."
Daniel swallowed.
"I would never hurt her."
"Good. Then we understand each other."
Alessandro ended the call.
He stood for several moments, thinking.
He did not want to frighten Daniel.
He wanted to understand him.
Because if the young man truly loved Clara, then he deserved a chance.
And if he was responsible for the danger surrounding her, Alessandro needed to know.
...
The following morning, Daniel arrived at the Moretti estate.
He was twenty-seven years old, tall, and neatly dressed in a dark jacket.
He looked nervous.
Marco escorted him into the main living room.
Alessandro stood near the fireplace.
"Daniel Hayes."
"Mr. Moretti."
They shook hands.
Alessandro studied him.
"Sit down."
Daniel obeyed.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Alessandro asked:
"Do you love my daughter?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
Daniel looked directly at him.
"Enough to spend the rest of my life proving it."
Alessandro nodded slowly.
"That's a good answer. But words are easy."
"I understand."
"Do you know how many nights she spent crying because she was afraid?"
Daniel lowered his head.
"Yes."
"Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't find her?"
Daniel looked up.
"I'm sorry."
Alessandro raised his hand.
"Don't apologize to me. You need to explain why you let her carry this burden alone."
Daniel took a deep breath.
"My father threatened her. He told me that if I stayed with Clara, he would use her to get to you."
"And you believed him?"