Chapter 2: The Files In The Safe
Roman had faced enemies who carried weapons.
He had faced competitors who tried to destroy his company.
He had faced men who wanted him afraid.
But nothing prepared him for the sight of his own daughter standing behind him, still holding his hand like she was afraid he might disappear again.
The ballroom remained silent.
Every guest watched as Roman walked toward the center of the room.
Sophie stayed close beside him.
Helena forced herself to smile.
“Roman, darling, you’re confused. You’ve just returned after a traumatic experience.””
Roman looked at his mother.
“Traumatic?””
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“My daughter was wearing a maid uniform at my own gala.””
Helena glanced around.
“She was learning responsibility.””
Roman looked down at Sophie.
The little girl immediately lowered her eyes.
That single movement hurt him more than any accusation.
Children did not look afraid of their parents.
They looked afraid of people who had taught them fear.
Roman turned back.
“What did you do to her?””
Helena’s expression hardened.
“I raised her when you couldn’t.””
“No.””
Roman shook his head.
“You controlled her.””
Adrian stepped between them.
“You have no idea what happened while you were gone.””
Roman looked at him.
“You’re right.””
A pause.
“I don’t.””
Then Roman pointed toward Sophie.
“But I know what I see.””
Adrian smiled.
“Be careful.””
“Why?””
“Because the world thought you were dead.””
Roman’s eyes narrowed.
“And you made sure everyone believed it.””
The room became colder.
Helena finally spoke.
“You have no proof.””
Roman looked at her.
“Proof of what?””
“That anyone did anything wrong.””
For the first time, anger appeared in Roman’s face.
“My daughter was told I abandoned her.””
Helena remained silent.
“My accounts were frozen.””
Silence.
“My company was transferred without my approval.””
Adrian’s expression changed slightly.
Roman noticed.
That tiny reaction was enough.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.””
Adrian crossed his arms.
“You signed documents before the accident.””
“I signed temporary management papers.””
“Which became permanent.””
Roman stared at him.
“No.””
His voice dropped.
“Someone changed them.””
Later that night, Roman sat inside his old office.
The room smelled exactly the same.
Leather furniture.
Old books.
The wooden desk where he used to help Sophie draw pictures.
Except now there was a lock on the cabinet where he kept family documents.
A lock that had never existed before.
Sophie sat beside him.
Roman gently brushed her hair away from her face.
“Sweetheart.””
She looked up.
“Were you really gone?””
The question broke him.
“I was.””
Her eyes filled.
“But you weren’t dead?””
“No.””
“Then why did everyone say you were?””
Roman looked toward the door.
Because he already knew the answer was dangerous.
“I don’t know yet.””
Sophie hugged his arm.
“I waited for you.””
Roman closed his eyes.
“I know.””
“No one believed me.””
Those words hurt more than anything.
“Who didn’t believe you?””
Sophie hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Everyone.””
The next morning, Roman entered the private security room beneath the estate.
His old security director, Marcus, was waiting.
Marcus had worked for the family for twenty years.
“You’re alive,” Marcus said quietly.
Roman looked at him.
“You knew?””
Marcus looked away.
That answer was enough.
“You knew I survived.””
Marcus swallowed.
“I found out six months ago.””
Roman froze.
“And you didn’t tell me?””
“I tried.””
“Who stopped you?””
Marcus said nothing.
Roman stepped closer.
“Who?””
Marcus finally opened a drawer and removed a small envelope.
“I kept this because I knew one day you would come back.””
Roman opened it.
Inside were copies of financial transfers.
Private account movements.
Hidden payments.
And one name appeared again and again.
Helena D’Angelo.
Roman’s mother.
But underneath the documents was another page.
A handwritten note.
Roman read the first line.
His face changed.
“What is this?””
Marcus looked terrified.
“I don’t know.””
Roman continued reading.
The message was short.
Only one sentence.
But it changed everything.
*Roman, if you are reading this, it means Helena failed to keep you away. Protect Sophie. The person closest to you is the one who planned it all.*
Roman slowly lowered the paper.
“Who wrote this?””
Marcus looked toward the security cameras.
Then whispered:
“The person who tried to save you.””
Before Roman could answer, the office phone rang.
He picked it up.
A woman’s voice came through.
Quiet.
Shaking.
“Roman…”
He froze.
Because he knew that voice.
It was the last person he expected to hear.
His fiancée.
“Isabella?””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“Don’t trust your mother.””
Roman stood still.
“What are you talking about?””
Her voice trembled.
“I’m the reason you survived.””
The call suddenly cut off.
And on the screen of Roman’s phone appeared a single message.
May you like
From Isabella.
*They know I contacted you. Run before they find Sophie.*
