Chapter 45. The Beginning of Suspicion
596 Words
Chapter 45
The Beginning of Suspicion
The days following Adrian's visit became strangely peaceful for Elena.
For the first time since returning to Italy, she found herself smiling more often.
Mostly because Isabella wouldn't stop talking about Adrian.
“Mama, do you think Mr. Adrian likes me?”
Elena nearly dropped her coffee.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because he bought me ice cream.”
Nina immediately burst out laughing.
“Elena, your daughter already has him wrapped around her finger.”
Elena shook her head helplessly.
“Let's not encourage that.”
But secretly—
Even she couldn't deny that Adrian had been acting differently lately.
Meanwhile at De Luca Holdings, Adrian sat through an executive meeting while several directors presented financial reports.
Normally, he would have been fully focused.
Today—
His thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.
“Sir?”
One executive called carefully.
Adrian looked up.
“Yes?”
“The proposal?”
“I approve it.”
The executive blinked.
“You haven't looked at it yet.”
The room instantly became silent.
Even Luca looked surprised.
Something was definitely wrong with his boss.
After the meeting ended, Luca followed Adrian into his office.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“You seem distracted lately.”
Adrian loosened his tie.
“Get to the point.”
Luca hesitated briefly.
“Does this have anything to do with Miss Moretti?”
The office became very quiet.
Adrian slowly looked at him.
“Since when did you become interested in my personal life?”
“Since it started affecting business meetings.”
Adrian had no response for that.
Meanwhile across Milan, Sofia received a phone call that ruined her entire afternoon.
“What?”
She shot up from her chair.
“Adrian went where?”
The caller repeated the information.
Sofia's face instantly darkened.
Again.
Adrian had gone to see Elena.
Without telling her.
Without any business meeting scheduled.
The moment the call ended, Sofia grabbed her car keys furiously.
She drove directly to her mother's mansion.
Once inside, she slammed the door shut.
“Mother!”
Her mother frowned immediately.
“What happened now?”
“Adrian keeps seeing Elena.”
The older woman's expression changed.
“How often?”
“Too often.”
Sofia sat down heavily.
“I don't like this.”
For the first time, genuine panic entered her voice.
“He looks at her differently.”
Her mother remained silent.
Then she asked the question Sofia feared most.
“Do you think he's remembering?”
Sofia immediately shook her head.
“No.”
But even she wasn't completely sure anymore.
Because lately—
Adrian had started asking strange questions.
Questions about the past.
Questions about Elena.
Questions he never cared about before.
Back at Velmont Royal Elementary the next day, Isabella arrived happily as usual.
The moment she entered class, Leonardo walked over awkwardly.
“I brought you something.”
Isabella blinked.
“A gift?”
Leonardo nodded.
From behind his back, he revealed a small box of chocolates.
“I wanted to say sorry again.”
Several children immediately stared.
Leonardo De Luca apologizing?
The world must be ending.
Isabella smiled brightly.
“Thank you.”
For the first time ever, Leonardo smiled back.
And somewhere nearby, one of the teachers quietly watched them.
The resemblance between the two children seemed more obvious every day.
The same eyes.
The same expressions.
The same stubborn personalities.
It was becoming harder and harder to ignore.
And soon—
Someone would finally start asking the questions nobody wanted answered.
- Writer
