Chapter 5 - The Grandfather Who Wanted Her Back
Richard Sterling appeared in court the next morning.
He wore a tailored navy suit and carried himself like a respectable businessman who had been unfairly accused.
His petition described Sophie as a vulnerable child who had been abducted by Dominic's household staff.
It claimed Dominic was unstable, dangerous, and unfit to care for her.
Vanessa's attorneys had prepared the paperwork.
Dominic sat beside his lawyer while Hannah waited outside the courtroom with Sophie.
The judge reviewed the initial evidence.
"Mr. Moretti, these are serious allegations. Why should the court believe this child is your daughter?"
Dominic placed Sophie's medical records, photographs, and the silver bracelet before the judge.
"Because she is. And because the people accusing me of abduction are the same people who concealed her survival."
Richard's attorney objected.
"These claims have not been proven."
The judge raised a hand.
"Then we will establish the facts."
A temporary order placed Sophie under protective supervision while genetic testing and the criminal investigation proceeded.
Dominic accepted the arrangement, although every hour away from his daughter felt unbearable.
Outside the courtroom, Richard approached him.
"You should have let the child remain where she was."
Dominic stared at him.
"Where was that? Locked behind a fence?"
Richard smiled thinly.
"She was fed. She was clothed. She was alive."
"You stole three years from her."
"I gave you a chance to rebuild your life."
Dominic stepped closer.
"You burned my house."
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Careful, Dominic. You have no proof that I started the fire."
"Not yet."
Richard adjusted his cuff.
"You think Vanessa acted alone? Your own uncle helped conceal the child. Your own family signed the false reports. If this investigation continues, the Moretti name will be dragged through every newspaper in the country."
Dominic leaned in.
"Then it will finally be associated with the truth."
Richard's eyes hardened.
"You'll lose your company."
"Then I'll lose it."
"You'll lose your fortune."
"Then I'll earn another."
Richard's expression turned cruel.
"And what if you lose Sophie again?"
Dominic went still.
Richard walked away before he could answer.
That evening, Hannah brought Sophie to the residence for a supervised visit.
The little girl ran to Dominic as soon as she saw him.
He lifted her into his arms.
"Did you miss me?"
"Very much."
He kissed her hair.
"I missed you too."
Sophie studied his face.
"Why can't I stay with you?"
Dominic chose his words carefully.
"Some grown-ups have to answer questions about what happened. The judge wants to make sure you're safe."
"But I'm safe with you."
"I know, little star. And I'll prove it."
She rested her head against his shoulder.
"Will you come to my birthday party?"
Dominic smiled through his tears.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
After Sophie left with Hannah, Dominic met Marco in the study.
"Find every financial connection between Richard Sterling and the fire."
Marco laid out a stack of records.
"We found payments to a contractor who installed the security system at the country house. The same contractor later received money from a Sterling shell company."
"Can we prove the payments were connected?"
"Not yet. But we found an email from Vanessa to Richard dated two days before the fire."
Marco placed a printed copy on the desk.
The message was short.
After tonight, Dominic will have nobody left but me.
Dominic stared at the words.
Then he looked up.
"Get this to the prosecutor."
Marco nodded.
"There is one more thing. Vincent has agreed to testify."
Dominic's expression hardened.
"Against Richard?"
"Against everyone."
For the first time, Dominic felt the truth coming into focus.
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But he knew that revealing it would cost him more than money.
It would force him to confront the people he had once called family.
