Chapter 5 - Isabella’s First Full Sentence
Three days later, Dominic was arrested.
The Moretti empire survived.
But Vincent no longer cared about business.
He cared about his daughter.
Every morning, he sat with Isabella.
Every night, he read her stories.
He stopped being the billionaire everyone feared.
And became the father she needed.
One evening, Vincent sat beside Isabella’s bed.
“I’m sorry.”
The little girl looked at him.
“For what?”
Vincent froze.
Because she had spoken.
A complete sentence.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Bella…”
She touched his hand.
“You were sad too.”
Vincent couldn’t answer.
Because she was right.
He had been so focused on protecting her that he forgot she needed him to heal too.
“I missed Mommy.”
Isabella whispered.
Vincent held her hand.
“I know.”
“She told me not to be scared.”
Vincent looked up.
“What?”
Isabella looked at the music box.
“Mommy said…”
She swallowed.
“She said Daddy would believe me.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
Sofia had known.
She knew her daughter might be afraid.
She knew Vincent would need proof.
She had protected Isabella even after death.
---
Weeks passed.
Isabella’s voice slowly returned.
Not all at once.
Not magically.
But little by little.
A word.
A sentence.
A laugh.
And every sound became precious.
Especially to Vincent.
---
One afternoon, Vincent found Ellie sitting beside Isabella.
“What are you two doing?”
Ellie smiled.
“We’re practicing.”
“Practicing what?”
Isabella looked at her father.
Then smiled.
“Talking.”
Vincent laughed softly.
May you like
It was the first real laugh anyone had heard from him in months.
---
