The shadows

Alessio

I stood in the study, staring out the window as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the estate. The meeting with Evelyn had left me unsettled, though I'd never let it show. She was stronger than I'd anticipated-defiant, even in the face of my threats. It was... intriguing.

But I couldn't afford to be intrigued. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see Marco Moretti stepping inside. He looked nervous, his hands trembling as he closed the door behind him.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, gesturing for him to sit. He hesitated, then sank into the chair across from my desk, his eyes darting around the room like a cornered animal.

"Your daughter is settling in," I said, my tone calm but firm.

Marco flinched at the mention of Evelyn. "She's... she's a good girl," he stammered. "She doesn't deserve this."

I leaned back in my chair, studying him. "And yet, here we are."

He looked down at his hands, his shoulders slumping. "I did what you asked. I gave you my daughter. Isn't that enough?"

"No," I said, my voice, cold. "It's not."

He looked up at me, his eyes wide with fear. "What more do you want from me?"

I stood and walked around the desk, stopping in front of him. "I want the truth," I said, my voice, low and dangerous. "About what happened ten years ago."

Marco's face paled, and he shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me," I snapped, slamming my hand down on the desk. "I know you were there that night. I know you saw what happened. And I know you've been hiding the truth ever since."

He flinched, his hands trembling even more. "I... I can't," he whispered. "If I tell you, they'll kill me."

"And if you don't," I said, leaning closer, "I'll kill you myself."

He stared at me, his eyes filled with fear and desperation. For a moment, I thought he might break. But then he shook his head again, his voice barely audible. "I can't."

I straightened, my jaw tightening. "Then you've made your choice."

I turned and walked back to the window, my mind racing. Marco's refusal only confirmed what I already suspected- there was more to the story than I'd been told. And if I wanted the truth, I'd have to find it myself.

The sound of the door closing behind Marco pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Sofia standing there, her arms crossed over her chest and a frown on her face.

"You're pushing him too hard," she said, her voice sharp.

I raised an eyebrow. "And you're suddenly an expert on interrogation?"

She stepped closer, her green eyes blazing. "I'm an expert on you, Alessio. And I know what this is about. But you're not going to find the answers you're looking for by threatening Marco."

"Then what do you suggest?" I asked, my voice, cold.

She sighed and walked over to the window, staring out at the grounds. "Talk to Evelyn," she said, her tone softer now. "She's not her father. She might know something."

I shook my head. "She's a pawn in this game, nothing more."

"Is she?" Sofia asked, turning to face me. "Or is she the key to everything?"

I didn't respond. The truth was, I didn't know. Evelyn was a complication I hadn't anticipated. She was strong, defiant, and far too perceptive for her own good. And if Sofia was right, she knew something I'd have to tread carefully.

As Sofia left the study, I turned back to the window, my mind racing. Evelyn was a problem, but she might also be the solution. If I could get her to trust me and open up-then maybe, just maybe, I could find the answers I'd been searching for.

But first, I'd have to break her.

And I knew exactly how to do it.