BE MY WIFE FOR ONE DANCE, THE MAFIA BOSS WHISPERED TO A SINGLE MOM AT THE WEDDING—BUT SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHO HE REALLY WAS

I stared at the photograph.

Camilla looked younger, her hair longer, her face thinner. But there was no mistaking her.

"Why is my best friend in this picture?"

Giovanni turned toward me.

"Do you know her?"

"She's been my closest friend since college."

Teresa folded her hands.

"Isabella met Camilla while she was volunteering at a children's clinic. They became friends. Camilla helped her leave Italy with the baby."

My mind raced.

Camilla had never mentioned knowing Isabella.

She had never mentioned Giovanni.

"Where is the child now?" I asked.

Teresa shook her head.

"Isabella told me only that the baby would be safe with someone she trusted."

I felt dizzy.

"Camilla?"

"I believe so."

Giovanni took a step toward the older woman.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Your father threatened my family. I had two sons. I was afraid."

"Did Isabella survive?"

Teresa's eyes filled.

"I don't know. She came back once, years later. She asked me to keep the records safe. She said if anything happened to her, the truth had to reach you."

Giovanni sat down heavily.

"Did she say anything else?"

Teresa looked at me.

"She said the little girl would have a family one day. A mother who would understand what it meant to fight for a child."

I couldn't speak.

On the drive back, Giovanni was silent.

I called Camilla.

She didn't answer.

I called again.

This time she picked up.

"Jess?"

"Where are you?"

"At the house. Why?"

"Did you know Isabella Fioraldi?"

Silence.

Then Camilla said, "I can explain."

I closed my eyes.

"How long have you known?"

"Since before Lily was born."

My heart seemed to stop.

"What?"

"Jessica, please. Let me tell you in person."

"Did you help her hide her daughter?"

Camilla began crying.

"Yes."

I looked at Giovanni.

He was watching me.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I promised Isabella I wouldn't. She said the child was in danger. She asked me to keep her safe until the people who wanted her dead were gone."

"Who is the child?"

Camilla whispered a name.

"Sofia."

The same name printed on the birth certificate.

"Where is she?"

"With a family in Wisconsin. She has been raised by people who love her. She doesn't know who her father is."

Giovanni closed his eyes.

"Is she alive?"

"Yes."

He leaned forward.

"Can I see her?"

Camilla was quiet.

"Not yet. Isabella made me promise that you wouldn't come near her until I knew you had changed."

The words struck him.

"I have spent five years trying to find my daughter."

"And Isabella spent those years trying to keep her alive."

I took the phone from Giovanni.

"Camilla, why did you never tell me?"

"Because I didn't want you involved. I knew how much you had already lost. I thought keeping the secret would protect you."

"Someone photographed Lily. Someone threatened her. You brought us into this without telling me the truth."

"I know."

"Then tell me everything."

Camilla took a shaky breath.

"Isabella didn't die in the accident. She survived. But after she discovered that Giovanni's father had arranged the false death certificate, she disappeared. Three years ago, she contacted me again."

"Where is she now?"