Chapter 10: The Weight of Truth
After rescuing Renzo, Vittorio didn't return to his old mansion. He took Sophia and Renzo to a safe house in the suburbs of Naples, where security was on 24/7.
That night, after Sophia fell asleep, Vittorio sat alone in the living room with a glass of wine in his hand. Renzo entered and stood silently for a moment before speaking.
“What are you going to do with Sophia?” Renzo asked.
Vittrio didn't answer immediately. He stared at his glass of wine, his voice low:
“I will acknowledge her as my daughter. Publicly and legally.”
Renzo was slightly surprised.
“You… are you willing to do that? This will cause a lot of scandal. Especially for your family.”
Vittrio put down his glass of wine and looked directly at Renzo.
“I’ve lost too much trying to save face and maintain my reputation. Things are different now. Sophia is my flesh and blood. I’m not going to hide it anymore.”
Renzo nodded slowly, his expression somewhat relieved.
“Thank you, sir. She… she deserves recognition.”
Vittrio was silent for a moment, then asked:
“Did you love Isabella?”
The question startled Renzo slightly. He looked down at the floor, his voice hoarse:
“I did love her. But not the woman she became later. I stayed because of Sophia. Because I didn’t want her to grow up without anyone to protect her.”
Vittrio nodded, saying nothing more. He understood that feeling.
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After Renzo left the room, Vittorio sat alone in the darkness. He realized that he not only had to face external enemies, but also his own mistakes and blindness of the past years.
