Chapter 3: The Woman Behind the Window
Roman unfolded the note with one hand.
Milo pressed his face against Roman’s shoulder while Vivian watched the paper tremble between his fingers.
“Read it aloud,” Sophia said.
Roman looked at the photograph first.
Elena stood behind a narrow window, holding that morning’s newspaper against the glass.
“Roman, I did not leave Milo,” he read.
“Your mother brought me to St.
Agnes and told the doctors I was confused.
She said you had signed the papers.
Please find our son before she makes him believe I never loved him.”
“That is nonsense,” Vivian said.
“Elena has always been unstable.”
Roman held up the photograph.
“Then why did you want this burned?”
“I was protecting you.”
“You put my son beneath a table.”
“He needed discipline.”
Milo’s fingers tightened around Roman’s collar.
“I can be good, Daddy.”
Roman’s voice cracked.
“You never had to earn your food, Milo.
You never had to earn me.”
Sophia pushed her chair back.
“Let me take him to the kitchen.
He needs something warm.”
Roman did not release the boy.
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.” Sophia removed her pearl bracelet and set it on the table.
“But Milo should not hear what comes next.
I’ll stay where you can see me.”
Milo looked at her cautiously.
“No dog bowl?”
Sophia’s mouth trembled.
“A real plate.
You may choose it yourself.”
Roman carried him to the kitchen doorway and watched Sophia kneel beside him.
She placed bread, soup, and sliced fruit on a blue plate, then tasted each item before offering it to him.
“Why did you do that?” Milo asked.
“So you know it is safe.”
Roman turned back toward Vivian.
“Where is Elena?”
“I have no idea.”
“Caroline?”
Caroline wiped wine from her sleeve.
“Elena left because she was tired of you.”
Roman placed the photograph on the table.
“She was holding today’s newspaper.”
Caroline glanced at Vivian.
It lasted less than a second, but Roman saw it.
He put his phone on speaker and called St.
Agnes.
“Patient services,” a woman answered.
“This is Roman Valenti.
I’m asking about my wife, Elena Valenti.”
Keys clicked in the background.
“Mr.
Valenti, your authorization was verified this morning.”
“What authorization?”
“The transfer order.”
Roman’s hand flattened against the table.
“Transfer to where?”
“I’m afraid the destination is confidential.”
“I signed nothing.”
The woman stopped typing.
“Sir, the document carries your signature and security seal.”
Roman looked directly at Vivian.
She folded her hands.
“Perhaps you signed more papers than you remember.”
“Send me a copy now.”
A notification appeared seconds later.
Roman opened the document and enlarged the signature.
Sophia returned with Milo beside her.
“Is it yours?”
“The name is mine,” Roman said.
“The handwriting isn’t.”
Milo lifted a spoon toward him.
“Daddy, you can have some.”
Roman crouched and accepted one small mouthful.
Milo smiled for the first time.
Then the woman on the phone spoke again.
“Mr.
Valenti, there is something else.
Mrs.
Valenti was not transferred alone.”
Roman rose slowly.
“Who went with her?”
The woman lowered her voice.
“Your sister Caroline signed her out one hour ago.”
May you like
Roman turned.
Caroline’s chair was empty, and the terrace door stood open.
