Chapter 4 - The Debt
Ten minutes later, the kitchen had been cleared of blood, broken glass, and terror.
Alessandro stood by the center island, pouring a fresh, untainted cup of espresso—brewing it himself this time, watching every drop with the cold, meticulous precision of a man who trusted no one.
The laundry room door creaked open a few inches.
Sophia peered out, her face pale, her hands clasped tightly in front of her gray apron. Behind her, little Emma peeked out from her mother's skirt, still clutching her ragged gray rabbit.
"Mr. Duca?" Sophia whispered, her voice trembling. "Is... is it safe?"
Alessandro turned around. He looked at the woman who worked twelve-hour shifts scrubbing marble floors to feed her child, and then down at the little girl who had just saved his life with a memory no three-year-old should ever have possessed.
"It's safe, Sophia," Alessandro said, his voice softer than it had been all morning.
He walked over to the counter, picked up a small plate of freshly baked cinnamon pastries meant for the staff breakfast, and knelt down once again until he was eye-level with Emma.
The little girl stared at him, her dark eyes wide and wary.
"You saved my life today, piccola," Alessandro said gently. He held out the plate of pastries toward her. "That makes you the bravest person in this entire house."
Emma looked at the pastries, then up at her mother for permission. Sophia nodded slowly, tears welling in her eyes. The little girl reached out and took a warm pastry in her small hand.
"What do you say to Mr. Duca, Emma?" Sophia whispered.
"Thank you," Emma murmured shyly, burying her face back into her mother's skirt.
Alessandro stood up, looking at Sophia.
"Effective immediately," Alessandro said, his tone carrying the undeniable weight of absolute authority, "you are no longer a member of the housekeeping staff."
Sophia flinched as if she had been struck, her face draining of what little color remained. "Mr. Duca, please! I didn't know Danny was—I swear I had no idea what he was planning—"
"Listen to me, Sophia," Alessandro interrupted gently. "You are no longer housekeeping because starting today, you are the head estate manager of the Duca household. Your salary will be tripled. Your housing on the estate grounds will be upgraded to the west wing villa. And an elite security detail will be assigned to protect you and your daughter twenty-four hours a day, permanently."
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Sophia stared at him in stunned disbelief. "Sir... I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Alessandro replied, turning back to his fresh cup of coffee and taking a long, unhurried sip. "Loyalty of that magnitude cannot be bought, Sophia. It can only be honored."
