Alessandro sat motionless in the dim blue light of his office monitors. The video timestamp read 01:14 AM. On screen, the heavy oak door of the east wing nursery creaked open without a sound.

Elena rounded the corner of the second-floor corridor just as a flash of lightning illuminated the hallway. There, standing outside the half-open nursery door, was Mia—holding Mabel, humming softly toward the interior of the room.

"Mia!" Elena gasped in a panicked whisper, rushing forward and grabbing her daughter by the shoulders. "What are you doing here? I told you never to leave our room!"

"The baby was sad, Mommy," Mia whispered back, pointing her small finger into the room. "Sophia needed Mabel."

"We have to leave. Now!" Elena pleaded, her heart hammering against her ribs. She picked Mia up, but as she turned around, a tall figure blocked the doorway.

Alessandro stood in the threshold, framed by the dark hallway. Behind him stood Richard, his hand resting casually inside his jacket near his holster.

Elena backed up into the wall, squeezing Mia tightly against her chest. "Mr. Moretti... I am so sorry. Please. She’s just a child, she didn't mean to trespass. I will pack our things and leave immediately—"

"Quiet," Alessandro commanded softly.

The authority in his tone silenced the room. He stepped past Elena and looked down into the crib. Sophia was lying on her side, clutching the one-eared plush rabbit, her eyes closed in peaceful sleep.

Alessandro turned back to Elena. The icy demeanor he usually wore seemed to fracture for a fraction of a second.

"How long has your daughter been coming in here?" Alessandro asked.

"I... I didn't know," Elena trembled, tears welling in her eyes. "I swear on my life, Mr. Moretti, I had no idea she was sneaking out. Please don't hurt her."

Alessandro looked down at Mia, who was staring back at him with big, unblinking eyes.

"Are you the tall man?" Mia asked softly into the quiet room.

"Mia, hush!" Elena gasped.