Chapter 2 - The Watch That Held A Mother’s Secret
The darkness lasted only eight seconds.
But eight seconds was enough time for everyone in the diner to reveal who they truly were.
The customers screamed.
Marcus dropped a glass behind the counter.
The rain outside became louder, pounding against the windows like someone trying to break in.
But the four men who entered with Theo’s father didn't move like ordinary people.
They moved like soldiers.
One man stepped toward the front door.
Another watched the windows.
The third stood beside Theo’s father, waiting for an order.
And Theo?
He wasn't hiding anymore.
He was watching his father.
Waiting.
I realized something in that moment.
This child wasn't afraid of the men outside.
He was afraid of what his father would do.
The tall man reached into his coat.
My body tensed.
But instead of a weapon, he pulled out a small flashlight.
He turned it on and looked at Theo.
"Are you hurt?"
Theo shook his head.
"No."
The man's eyes moved to his bandaged hand.
"Don't lie to me."
A silence followed.
Theo looked down.
"I cut it."
"How?"
Another pause.
"I fell."
The man didn't believe him.
Neither did I.
The father crouched down in front of his son.
For the first time, I saw the powerful man everyone feared become just a father.
"Look at me."
Theo slowly raised his eyes.
"Did someone touch you?"
The boy stayed silent.
That silence was an answer.
The man's expression changed.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Who?"
Theo looked at me.
Then at the watch.
Then away.
"I can't."
His father remained calm.
Too calm.
"Why?"
"Because you'll make it worse."
Those words hit harder than anything else.
The mafia boss looked like someone had punched him.
Not because his son was afraid of an enemy.
Because his son was afraid of him.
I stepped forward.
"Maybe he needs a minute."
Everyone looked at me.
Including the dangerous man.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
His voice was low.
"I know what a scared child looks like."
A dangerous silence followed.
One of his men immediately moved.
But the man raised his hand.
Stopping him.
Then he looked back at me.
"What is your name?"
"Delia."
"Delia what?"
"Carter."
He nodded slowly.
"Delia Carter."
Like he was memorizing it.
Theo interrupted.
"She helped me."
His father looked at him.
"I know."
"No, Papa."
Theo's voice cracked.
"She actually helped me."
That sentence changed something.
The man looked at the empty plate.
The clean towel.
The small bandage around Theo's hand.
Then he looked at me.
"You gave him food."
"Yes."
"Without knowing who he was?"
"Should that matter?"
He didn't answer.
Because it shouldn't.
A child was hungry.
That was enough.
The lights returned.
Everyone breathed again.
Then one of his men approached.
"Mr. Moretti."
So that was his name.
Adrian Moretti.
I had heard that name before.
Everyone in Chicago had.
A man people whispered about.
A businessman.
A criminal.
A man who controlled half the city without ever needing to raise his voice.
Adrian looked toward his man.
"What?"
"We found the cameras."
"And?"
"They were disabled from outside."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The man hesitated.
"We don't know."
Theo suddenly stood.
"Papa."
Everyone turned.
The boy looked terrified.
"What?"
Theo reached into his pocket.
The watch.
He placed it on the table.
Adrian froze.
Not because of the watch.
Because of the engraving.
His face changed.
Completely.
"You had this?"
Theo nodded.
"Mom gave it to me."
Adrian picked it up slowly.
His fingers trembled.
Just slightly.
But I noticed.
A man like him didn't shake.
Ever.
"What did she tell you?"
Theo looked at him.
"She said the storm always passes."
Adrian looked away.
For a moment, the entire room disappeared.
There was only a father holding something that belonged to the woman he lost.
Then Theo whispered:
"She also said you promised."
Adrian looked back.
"Promised what?"
Theo's eyes filled with emotion.
"That you would protect us."
Nobody spoke.
Because everyone knew.
Something had happened.
Something Adrian Moretti had never told his son.
And the watch wasn't just a memory.
May you like
It was a message.
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