Chapter 6 - Leo Learns the Truth
Anna spent two nights awake after hearing the recording.
Not because she suddenly trusted Vincent again.
Trust did not return because of one painful piece of evidence.
But hatred became harder.
For years, anger had protected her.
It gave shape to memories she could barely survive.
Vincent left me.
Vincent chose Sophia.
Vincent didn’t come back.
Now one of those truths was gone.
The others remained.
On Saturday morning, Leo found Anna sitting by the kitchen window.
“Mommy?”
She smiled.
“Morning, baby.”
He climbed into her lap.
“Is Vincent my daddy?”
Anna froze.
Children were terrifyingly observant.
“Why do you ask?”
“He looks like me.”
Anna laughed despite herself.
“You think?”
Leo nodded.
“And he looked sad when I showed him my airplane.”
Anna smoothed his hair.
Daniel entered the kitchen, heard the conversation, and quietly walked back out.
He understood.
Anna had always promised herself Leo would never grow up inside a lie.
“Yes,” she said.
Leo’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t he live with us?”
That was harder.
Anna chose her words carefully.
“There was an accident before you were born.”
“The airplane?”
“Yes.”
“Did Daddy think we died?”
Anna swallowed.
“Yes.”
Leo became quiet.
Then he asked, “Can he know I’m alive now?”
Anna nearly cried.
“He already knows.”
“Can I see him?”
Three hours later, Vincent arrived.
He wore jeans and a dark sweater instead of a suit.
No security team.
No driver waiting at the door.
Just Vincent.
Leo opened it himself.
“Hi.”
Vincent smiled nervously.
“Hi.”
“My mom said you’re my dad.”
Vincent looked at Anna.
Then back at his son.
“She told you?”
“Yep.”
Leo considered him.
“Do dads know dinosaurs?”
Vincent blinked.
“Some of them.”
“I know a lot.”
“I’m going to need lessons.”
Leo grabbed his hand.
“Come on.”
Anna watched them disappear toward the living room.
For the next hour, one of the most feared businessmen in Chicago sat cross-legged on a carpet while a three-year-old explained the difference between a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops.
Vincent listened as though national security depended on it.
At one point, Leo climbed into his lap.
Vincent went completely still.
His hands hovered, afraid to touch him without permission.
Anna’s heart cracked.
“Daddy?”
Vincent’s face changed.
Anna had never seen him look so vulnerable.
“Yes?”
“You can hold me.”
Vincent wrapped his arms around Leo.
He turned his face away.
But Anna saw the tears.
Later, Leo fell asleep on the couch.
Vincent carefully covered him with a blanket.
“I missed everything.”
Anna stood beside him.
“His first steps.”
Vincent nodded.
“His first word?”
“Moon.”
A sad smile touched Vincent’s mouth.
“Why moon?”
“He used to stare through the ranch window every night.”
Vincent looked at Leo.
“First birthday?”
“Chocolate cake. Total disaster.”
“I would’ve liked that.”
Anna whispered, “I know.”
Vincent looked at her.
“I won’t take him from you.”
Her expression tightened.
“I never said you would.”
“But you thought about it.”
She had.
Vincent continued.
“I could hire lawyers. I could make this ugly.”
Anna crossed her arms.
“And?”
“I won’t.”
He shook his head.
“You survived because you built a life without me. I’m not destroying that life just because I’m desperate to be part of it.”
Anna stared at him.
That sounded nothing like the man who once controlled every room he entered.
“What do you want?”
Vincent looked toward his sleeping son.
“A chance.”
“With Leo?”
“With both of you.”
Anna looked away.
“I don’t know if I can give you that.”
“I know.”
For once, Vincent Moretti didn’t demand an answer.
May you like
He simply sat beside his son and waited.
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