Chapter 6 - Elena's Explanation. .
Once the immediate chaos had settled, I asked Elena to remain, understanding I needed properly, carefully to address the considerable revelation regarding Lily's likely paternity.
"I need to understand something," I said gently, once Dr. Harris had begun administering proper treatment to counter the sustained poisoning's effects. "Elena, is Lily genuinely my daughter?"
Elena's eyes filled with tears. "I believe so," she admitted. "I never contacted you after that night, Alessandro. I was frightened, given everything I understood about your world, and I convinced myself raising her independently represented the safer choice for both of us."
"Why come work here now, then?" I asked. "If you'd successfully avoided any connection for eight years?"
"I lost my job, and we lost our apartment," Elena said honestly. "I saw the housekeeping position advertised, and I told myself it was simply coincidence that it happened to be within your household. I think, honestly, some part of me hoped you might eventually recognize her."
May you like
I studied Lily, still sitting quietly nearby, understanding with overwhelming, complicated emotion that this remarkable child's simple curiosity had likely just saved my life.
"I want a paternity test," I said gently. "Not because I doubt you, Elena. Because if she's genuinely my daughter, I want everything formally, properly established."
