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?"
"I knew he was capable of it."
"So you left?"
"I tried to send her somewhere safe. I thought if she disappeared, he wouldn't be able to reach her."
Alessandro stared at him.
"Did you ask her what she wanted?"
Daniel fell silent.
That was the answer.
Alessandro looked away.
"My daughter is not a package that can be moved from one location to another."
"I know."
"She is a person. She needed someone beside her."
Daniel's eyes became wet.
"You're right."
Alessandro looked at him again.
"Do you want to be a father?"
Daniel immediately nodded.
"More than anything."
"Then start behaving like one."
Daniel lowered his head.
"I will."
At that moment, Clara entered the room.
She stopped when she saw Daniel.
"Daniel?"
He stood immediately.
"Clara."
She looked at her father.
"Why is he here?"
Alessandro smiled gently.
"Because he asked to see you."
Daniel approached slowly.
"I've missed you."
Clara began crying.
He stopped a few feet away.
"Can I hug you?"
She nodded.
He embraced her carefully.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Clara buried her face against his chest.
"I was so scared."
"I know."
"I didn't know what to do."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Alessandro watched them.
His expression remained serious, but there was relief in his eyes.
For the first time in months, Clara looked genuinely happy.
Then Daniel placed a hand gently against her belly.
"How is our little one?"
Clara smiled.
"Very active."
He laughed softly.
"Already?"
Alessandro cleared his throat.
Daniel turned.
"Sorry, sir."
Alessandro raised an eyebrow.
"Don't call me sir forever. If you're going to be part of this family, we should eventually get to know each other."
Daniel smiled nervously.
"Thank you."
Alessandro pointed toward the chairs.
"Sit down. We have a lot to discuss."
...
But the reunion did not end the danger.
That afternoon, Marco discovered that Richard Hayes had learned Daniel was at the Moretti estate.
The older man immediately began making calls.
He had spent years building connections with people who wanted to weaken Alessandro.
Now he believed he had an opportunity.
If he could separate Clara from her father, he could use her to pressure the Moretti family.
He sent a message to one of his associates.
THE GIRL IS BACK. WE NEED TO ACT BEFORE THE BABY IS BORN.
The message was intercepted by Marco's security team.
He immediately informed Alessandro.
Alessandro read the message twice.
Then he looked toward the garden.
Clara was sitting with Daniel and Isabella.
She was laughing.
He closed his eyes.
He had promised her that she would no longer have to be afraid.
He intended to keep that promise.
"Marco."
"Yes, Don?"
"Contact the authorities. Give them everything we have on Richard Hayes."
Marco looked surprised.
"Everything?"
"Every document, every transaction, every recording."
"That could expose several of our own operations."
Alessandro nodded.
"I know."
"Are you certain?"
"My daughter is more important than my business."
Marco remained silent.
Alessandro continued.
"I will not start a war that puts her and the baby in danger. We are going to end this properly."
"Understood."
...
Three days later, the Moretti estate was placed under additional protection.
Investigators began examining Richard Hayes's financial activities.
Several of his associates were questioned.
A major financial investigation uncovered evidence of fraud, bribery, and attempted extortion.
Richard realized that his position was collapsing.
He attempted to leave the country.
But he was stopped at the airport.
The authorities took him into custody.
Daniel was informed that his father had been arrested.
He sat quietly in the living room.
Clara approached.
"Are you okay?"
Daniel looked at her.
"I think so."
She sat beside him.
"I know this is difficult."
He took her hand.
"I never wanted you to be involved in any of this."
Clara smiled sadly.
"Neither did I."
Alessandro entered.
He had heard their conversation.
"Daniel."
The young man stood.
"Yes?"
"Your father will have to answer for what he did."
"I understand."
"But his mistakes do not automatically become yours."
Daniel looked surprised.
Alessandro continued.
"If you love my daughter, I will judge you by how you treat her, not by the crimes committed by your father."
Daniel nodded.
"Thank you."
Alessandro looked toward Clara.
"Now, both of you need to focus on something more important."
Clara smiled.
"The baby?"
"Exactly."
He glanced at Daniel.
"I've already arranged an appointment with the best maternity specialist in the city."
Daniel laughed.
"Of course you have."
Alessandro raised an eyebrow.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, sir."
"Good."
Clara laughed.
For the first time, the house felt like a family home again.
...
Two months later, the baby was nearly ready to arrive.
The nursery had been completed.
The walls were painted soft cream and pale pink.
A beautiful wooden crib stood near the window.
Isabella had chosen the curtains.
Daniel had assembled the furniture.
Alessandro had purchased enough baby clothes to fill three wardrobes.
Clara stared at the enormous collection.
"Father!"