Chapter 2: What the Note Said
Lorenzo nodded slowly at Mrs.
Gable's answer.
Then his gray eyes moved down the line of staff — and stopped.
He was looking directly at Nora.
She felt her breath catch.
She stared at the floor.
"You." His voice was quiet.
"Look at me."
Nora lifted her eyes.
Lorenzo's gaze dropped to her wrists.
The bruises were visible even from across the foyer.
Dark.
Fresh.
"How did that happen?"
Before Nora could speak, Mrs.
Gable stepped smoothly between them.
"A small accident, Mr.
Moretti.
The girl is clumsy.
Pregnancy does that."
Something shifted in Lorenzo's expression.
Not sympathy.
Something colder.
"Leave us."
The staff scattered instantly.
Mrs.
Gable hesitated — then turned and walked away, her heels sharp against the marble.
Lorenzo took one step toward Nora.
"My father's room.
Take me there.
Now."
Nora led him up the staircase in silence.
Her heart was hammering.
She pushed open the door to room 4B.
Lorenzo stepped inside — and went completely still.
The room was warm.
The fire was burning.
Giovanni sat facing the window, a clean blanket across his lap, his silver hair neatly combed.
Lorenzo turned slowly and looked at Nora.
Then he looked down at something on the small table beside his father's chair.
A folded piece of paper.
In shaking handwriting that no one had seen in five years.
His jaw tightened.
*She is the only one who treated me like I was still a man.
May you like
Protect her.
— G*
