1183 The Mafia Boss's Fiancée Humiliated a Maid's Daughter—Then He Asked, ‘Why Didn't You Tell Me She Was Mine?’

Isabella arrived at Helen Park's office without diamonds or an entourage. She wore a gray coat and looked as though she hadn't slept.

"I was told you wanted to see me," Helen said.

"I want to give you something. Not bargain for it."

She placed printed messages on the desk. In a family group chat, her cousin Enzo had bragged about photographing Rosa's sister and leaving notes. Isabella had told him to stop. He responded with a laughing face and a remark about keeping servants in line.

"Did you know beforehand?" Helen asked.

"About the first photograph? No. About his attitude? Yes. And I should have understood what he might do."

"Why bring this to me?"

"Because I treated a child cruelly. My cousin decided that gave him permission to be worse. I can't undo my words, but I can refuse to hide his."

Later Helen asked Rosa whether she wanted to meet Isabella. Rosa agreed at a café with Maribel nearby.

Isabella began, "I'm sorry about what I called Lily."

"She asks whether you're still angry," Rosa replied. "She remembers your face."

Isabella blinked hard. "I thought she wouldn't understand."

"She's three, not furniture."

"I know that now."

"Knowing it now doesn't undo it."

Isabella set both hands around her untouched tea. "My father told me our marriage would keep people alive. Whenever I argued, he asked how many funerals I wanted on my conscience. I hated Alessandro for making me feel powerless. Then I took it out on your daughter."

"That's an explanation," Rosa said. "It isn't an excuse."

"I agree."

Rosa studied the woman she had feared for months. "What happens when your father learns you gave us those messages?"

"He'll cut me out. Maybe I should have let him years ago."

"Don't make my daughter the reason for that decision either."