Chapter 1
Vittorio Romano heard his daughter say she was a human being.
Nothing else in the room mattered after that.
The council-room doors had opened behind him.
He had expected coffee.
Maybe breakfast.
Instead, Lucy was on both knees beside a steel dog bowl.
Cold scraps filled it.
Her cardigan was twisted in Bianca’s fist.
Lucy tried to crawl toward her chair.
Bianca dragged her backward.
“If you behave like an animal, you eat like one.”
Then Bianca looked up.
Saw Vittorio.
Too late.
He crossed the room.
Lifted Lucy.
She buried her face against his neck.
“Daddy…”
Her little body shook.
“I’m a human being.”
Vittorio’s face became still.
“Yes.”
He held her tighter.
“Yes, you are.”
Then he noticed Emma.
The estate employee stood near the sideboard holding a smartphone with both hands.
Trembling.
Not filming now.
Already filmed.
Marcus saw the phone at the same moment.
He lunged.
Vittorio stepped between them.
Marcus shoved him into the dining table.
Then punched him.
“Come on, Boss.”
Marcus smirked.
“Show everyone what happens when somebody embarrasses your little princess.”
Vittorio passed Lucy safely to Emma.
Then Marcus swung again.
One counterpunch sent him through the antique map rack.
Wood snapped.
Rolled maps spilled across the carpet.
Atlas cases burst open.
Marcus disappeared beneath the lower support.
Bianca reached for Lucy.
Vittorio tore her hand away.
One slap sent her backward into the tea cabinet.
Cups scattered.
Linens spilled.
Ceramic lids slid across the floor.
Vittorio picked up the steel bowl.
Bianca stared.
He threw the cold scraps directly into her face.
“Now, be good and enjoy your last meal.”
Marcus stopped smiling.
Good.
Vittorio turned toward Emma.
“The phone.”
Emma hesitated.
Bianca wiped scraps from her cheek.
“She’s been recording us.”
Vittorio looked at her.
Bianca continued quickly.
“Without permission.”
Emma flinched.
Vittorio held out his hand.
“Emma.”
She gave him the phone.
The screen was open to a video.
Not the scene he had just witnessed.
An older one.
Lucy sitting beneath the breakfast table.
Crying.
Bianca’s voice came from behind the camera.
“You don’t get breakfast until you tell me what Uncle Marcus was doing with the red map.”
Vittorio stopped breathing.
The video continued.
Lucy whispered:
“I don’t know.”
Bianca laughed.
“Then stay hungry.”
In the background, Marcus said something quieter.
Something he clearly had not realized Emma recorded.
“The brat saw the river route.”
Vittorio slowly looked toward the shattered map rack.
One red leather map tube had rolled beneath the dining table.
May you like
Marcus saw it too.
And his face changed.
