Chapter 12 - SOPHIA’S DECISION
Sophia recovered slowly.
Her job waited.
But she no longer wanted it.
Alessandro understood.
“You don’t owe this house anything.”
Sophia looked at him.
“I spent four years cleaning rooms where people made decisions that controlled lives like mine.”
She looked toward Emma.
“I don’t want her growing up believing survival means staying invisible.”
Alessandro nodded.
“What do you want?”
Sophia thought for a long time.
“To finish school.”
She had abandoned nursing school when Emma was born.
Alessandro offered to pay.
Sophia refused.
“I don’t want charity.”
“It isn’t charity.”
“What is it?”
“A debt.”
Sophia shook her head.
“My father’s life isn’t a bill you can pay.”
Alessandro respected that.
So instead, he changed the Moretti employee education program.
Every employee became eligible.
Not just Sophia.
Tuition assistance.
Medical leave.
Childcare.
Emergency support.
Sophia read the policy.
“You changed all this?”
“Emma changed it.”
Sophia smiled.
“She does that.”
Then Emma entered Alessandro’s study carrying the same spray bottle from the first day.
Alessandro stared.
“No.”
Emma grinned.
“I found a streak.”
For the first time in years, Alessandro Moretti laughed inside that room.
But the peace lasted less than a minute.
Daniel entered.
His expression was grim.
“Carlo escaped federal transport.”
Alessandro stopped laughing.
Sophia tightened her grip on Emma.
May you like
Carlo was free.
And this time, everyone knew exactly who he would come for.
