Chapter 5: The Woman in the Portrait
462 Words
Sofia's heart pounded.
The old woman's trembling voice echoed through the courtyard.
"She has her mother's eyes."
Every guard lowered his head.
Even the servants froze.
Luca's jaw tightened.
"Maria."
His tone was calm, but it carried a warning.
The elderly woman quickly wiped away her tears.
"My apologies, Signore."
She stepped aside without another word.
Sofia looked from Maria to Luca.
"What does she mean?"
No one answered.
The silence was becoming unbearable.
Luca turned toward the mansion.
"Come inside."
"I'm not taking another step until someone tells me what's happening."
"You'll be safer inside."
"I'm tired of hearing that!" Sofia shouted.
"I don't need protection. I need answers!"
The courtyard fell silent.
None of the guards dared breathe.
Luca slowly turned back to face her.
For the first time, there was a flicker of emotion in his dark eyes.
Not anger.
Regret.
"I know."
Before Sofia could respond, a helicopter roared overhead.
One of the guards pressed a hand to his earpiece.
"Boss."
Luca didn't look away from Sofia.
"What is it?"
"Romano's men have crossed the northern checkpoint."
"They're searching every property."
"They know she's alive."
Luca nodded once.
"Increase security."
"Yes, Boss."
Sofia stared at him.
"Who is Romano?"
Luca hesitated.
"A man who believes everything can be bought."
"And me?"
His eyes met hers.
"No."
"You are something he cannot afford to lose."
The words sent a chill through her.
She followed Luca into the mansion.
The entrance hall was breathtaking.
White marble floors reflected the glow of an enormous crystal chandelier.
Paintings centuries old lined the walls.
Antique statues stood like silent guardians.
It felt less like a home...
And more like a museum.
As Sofia walked farther inside, something caught her eye.
A portrait.
It hung alone above the grand staircase.
A young woman stood beneath olive trees, smiling softly.
She looked...
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Sofia stopped walking.
"No..."
She moved closer.
The woman's eyes.
The curve of her smile.
Even the small birthmark near her collarbone.
It was like looking at an older version of herself.
"Who is she?" Sofia whispered.
Maria looked toward Luca, waiting for permission.
After a long silence...
Luca answered.
"Her name was Isabella."
Sofia swallowed.
"How do you know her?"
Luca's voice grew quieter than she'd ever heard it.
"Because..."
"I loved her."
The room spun.
Sofia looked back at the portrait.
Then at Luca.
If he had loved this woman...
Why had no one ever told her about her?
And why did she look exactly like Sofia?
Upstairs...
Hidden behind a half-open door...
A pair of unseen eyes watched everything.
A voice murmured into a phone.
"She's here."
A pause.
Then a cold laugh answered from the other end.
"Excellent."
"Tell Dante Romano..."
"The game has finally begun."
- Writer
