(02
I slammed the office door behind me, my heels echoing through the empty hallway as I fled. My hands shook as I dug through my purse, searching for my phone. Five years. Five years I’d avoided this number, avoided my past avoided who I really was.
The contact still sat there: “Dad.” My thumb hovered over it. Everything I’d run from, everything I’d tried to escape
– it all led back here.
8:50 AM c c
Maña Dom Engaged to
I pressed the call button before I could change my mind. The ring felt deafening in the empty parking garage.
One ring. Two rings Three-
“Isabella?” My father’s voice, rough and familiar, hit me like a physical blow.
“Daddy, I-“The word caught in my throat. Tears spilled down my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. About everything
Silence stretched between us, heavy with five years of distance.
“I want to come home.” The words tumbled out. “I want to be who I was meant to be. A Romano. Your daughter.
Your heir.”
“Isabella-”
“I know I ran. I know I hurt you. But I understand now. I understand who I am, what our name means.” I gripped the phone tighter. “I want to learn. Everything. All of it.”
“Where are you?”
“Downtown. At-” I swallowed hard. “At my husband’s office.”
“Stay there.” The steel in his voice reminded me of board meetings, of whispered conversations, of power that
ran deeper than money “I’m sending a car.
The sleek black Mercedes pulled up beside me fifteen minutes later. The door opened and Carlos stepped out, his weathered face breaking into a warm smile – the same one I remembered from countless drives to school and
ballet lessons
“Little Miss Romano.” He straightened his chauffeur’s cap. “Welcome back.”
My throat tightened. “Carlos. You’re still here”
“Where else would I be? Your family’s waiting for you at the house.” He held the door open, that familiar gesture bringing back a flood of memories.
–
I slid into the butter–soft leather interior. Nothing had changed the same subtle scent of leather and Carlos‘ favorite pine air freshener. As we pulled away from the office tower, the city lights blurred past my window. Each mile brought me closer to the life I’d abandoned.
The Romano mansion rose from behind its iron gates, Carlos pulled up to the front steps where two figures
stood waiting. My parents.
lead halfwa
I stepped out of the car, my legs turning to up the grand staircase. Dad’s face remained impassive, every inch the mafia don – but his eyes held something else. Pain? Relief?
Mom broke first.
“Isabella!” She rushed down the steps, mascara already running. Her arms wrapped around me in a crushing
embrace that smelled of Chanel No. 5 and home. “My baby. My baby’s home.”
I buried my face in her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent. “I’m sorry, Mom, I’m so sorry.”
She pulled back, cupping my face in her hands. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
I climbed the remaining steps toward Dad, my heart pounding against my ribs. His expression remained unreadable. The same expression I’d seen him wear during countless “business meetings.”
Five years of silence stretched between us.
Then his face softened, the corners of his eyes crinkling. A smile broke through, warm and genuine – the one reserved for family, not business. He pulled me into a gentle embrace, his familiar cologne washing over me. The pat
on my back felt like forgiveness.
“Took you long enough, piccola.” His voice carried the same gruff affection I remembered from childhood.
He kept his arm around my shoulders as we walked through the heavy oak doors into the grand foyer Crystal chandeliers cast dancing shadows across the marble floors everything exactly as I remembered
“You know, Isabella,” he said, quiding me past the sweeping staircase, “in our line of work, legacy isn’t just a word it’s blood. It’s destiny” His hand tightened slightly on my shoulder To one can escape it. Not really Hearned that from my father, just like he learned it from his
“Lunderstand, I really do” The words came easier now as Dad quided me to the plush leather couch in his study Mom settled beside me, her hand finding mine
“Tell us everything, piccola “Dad lowered himself into his armchair, the leather creaking beneath him. “These past five years
I took a deep breath “I thought I could have a normal life. Alex seemed perfect successful, charming “My fingers twisted in my lap. “We got married, built a life. Or I thought we did
“What changed?” Mom squeezed my hand
“Everything “My voice cracked “He’s been sleeping with his assistant. For months. And that’s not even-“I swallowed hard. “Two years ago, when I got pregnant, he convinced me to get an abortion Said it wasn’t the right time. But found out he’s been cheating”
Dad’s face darkened. He shot to his feet, phone already in hand. “That bastard! Him and that whore–I’ll have them both taken care of by morning‘
“No “I stood up, squaring my shoulders “I left this family for him. It was my choice, my mistake.” The steel in my voice surprised even me “So it’s my responsibility to handle this But this time? A cold smile spread across my face “This time, I’ll deal with them as Isabella Romano. Not Isabella Hartman.”
Dad’s eyes met mine, and something shifted in his expression – pride, maybe. Or recognition. He lowered the phone
“You’re right” He nodded slowly. “This is your move to make. But remember-
“I know” I straightened my spine, feeling the weight of my family name settle around me like armor. “A Romano always finishes what they start”
