She started crying.
He moved closer.
"Talk to me."
Clara took a shaky breath.
"It started when I met Daniel."
Alessandro remained silent.
"He was different from the people I had known before. He didn't care about your money or your name. He didn't seem frightened when he learned who you were."
Alessandro listened.
"He made me feel normal."
"Who is Daniel?"
"Daniel Hayes."
"How long were you together?"
"Almost a year."
"Does he know about the baby?"
Clara nodded.
"Yes."
"Does he want the child?"
She looked away.
"That's complicated."
Alessandro's expression became concerned.
"Did he hurt you?"
"No!"
She answered immediately.
"No, Father. Daniel never hurt me."
"Then what happened?"
Clara wiped her cheeks.
"His family was involved in something dangerous."
Alessandro became still.
"What kind of something?"
"Business with people who wanted to get close to you."
His eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
Clara took another breath.
"Daniel's father, Richard Hayes, was connected to a rival organization. I didn't know that when we first met."
Alessandro said nothing.
"When Daniel discovered the truth about my family, he told me. He said his father wanted to use our relationship to get information about your business."
"And Daniel?"
"He refused."
Alessandro's expression remained serious.
"Did he know you were pregnant?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
Clara began crying.
"He wanted to marry me."
Alessandro looked surprised.
"Then why are you here alone?"
"Because his father found out."
Clara explained that Richard Hayes had threatened Daniel and ordered him to end the relationship.
When Daniel refused, the threats became more serious.
He was followed.
His apartment was searched.
His closest friend was attacked.
Then Clara received a message warning her that she would become a target if she continued seeing him.
She had tried to contact her father.
But before she could, someone broke into her apartment.
She escaped with only a small bag.
For several weeks, she moved between temporary locations.
She had been terrified that contacting Alessandro would expose his location and make the situation worse.
Finally, she decided to return.
Alessandro listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he took both her hands.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I thought I could handle it."
He shook his head gently.
"You don't have to handle everything alone."
"I didn't want to bring trouble to you."
Alessandro smiled sadly.
"Sweetheart, I have spent my entire life dealing with trouble. But nothing matters more than protecting you."
Clara looked at him.
"Are you angry?"
"No."
"Not even with Daniel's family?"
His expression became serious.
"I am concerned. Very concerned. But I'm not angry with you."
He kissed her forehead.
"You did the right thing by coming home."
She leaned against him.
"Thank you, Daddy."
Alessandro held her carefully.
"Get some sleep. We'll deal with everything tomorrow."
...
The next morning, Alessandro summoned Marco to his private office.
A large desk stood near the windows, overlooking the estate gardens.
On the wall hung photographs of important family events.
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."