Chapter 6 - THE SILENT MORNING
Sunlight filtered through the high stained glass of the Moretti foyer.
The mansion felt different this morning.
Lighter. Cleaner.
The whispers of the staff had ceased.
Arthur Vance's arrest was already front-page news.
Federal prosecutors had raided his offices at dawn.
I stood in the grand kitchen pouring coffee.
Teresa sat by the window in her favorite armchair.
Her hearing aids gleamed in the morning light.
"You handled yourself well last night, child," Teresa smiled.
"I just did what was right, Mrs. Moretti."
"Call me Teresa."
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
Luca walked in, wearing a fresh charcoal suit.
He looked rested, though dark circles remained.
"Morning, Mom. Morning, Claire."
"Good morning, sir," I replied.
Luca paused, leaning against the marble island.
"I told you. No more 'sir'."
"It's a hard habit to break, Mr. Moretti."
He offered a faint, tired smile.
"Sophie is still sleeping. The doctor gave her a sedative."
"Is she going to be okay?"
"She asked for you when she woke up."
My chest tightened with warmth.
"I'll go check on her after breakfast."
"Actually," Luca said, stepping closer.
"We need to talk about your new role here."
"My role?"
"You aren't cleaning rooms anymore, Claire."
"What am I doing?"
"Family liaison and executive assistant to the estate."
"I don't have experience with that."
"You have loyalty, intelligence, and courage."
"Those can't be taught in business school."
Teresa nodded approvingly from her chair.
"Listen to my boy, Claire."
Just then, a small voice interrupted from the doorway.
"Daddy? Is Claire staying?"
We turned.
Sophie stood wrapped in a pink blanket.
Mr. Cuddles tucked tightly under her arm.
Luca walked over and knelt beside her.
"She's staying right here, sweetheart."
Sophie looked up at me with hopeful eyes.
"Forever?"
I smiled, walking over to join them.
"Forever, Sophie."
The dark cloud over the mansion was finally lifting.
Unbeknownst to us, however, a package arrived at the front gates.
A plain brown envelope bearing no return address.
May you like
Marcus intercepted it before breakfast ended.
And inside lay a photograph that would change everything.
