Chapter 2
The room fell quiet again.
No one spoke. No one moved.
The boss stood up and turned to his men. His voice was ice.
"Find out who did this. Now."
Guards scattered in every direction.
The birthday boy—Marco—stood staring at me. His face was pale. The anger was gone, replaced by confusion.
His father, Mr. Moretti, looked down at me.
"Anna," he said. "Where is your mother?"
My mother hurried forward, trembling. She thought she would be punished.
"Sir... I am so sorry—"
"Do not apologize," Mr. Moretti said. "Your daughter is a hero. She saved my son today."
He turned back to me.
"Because of you, Anna... my son is alive. And I never forget a debt. Not to anyone."
Later that evening, word spread.
The chef had been paid off. Poisoned by a rival family. He had fled before anyone could catch him.
Mr. Moretti came to our small apartment himself.
My mother nearly fainted when he walked through the door.
He handed her an envelope thick with cash.
"This will take care of you," he said. "A better home. A good school. Everything."
Then he looked at me.
"I will watch over you, Anna. Always. You are family to me now. Do you understand?"
May you like
I nodded, though I didn't fully grasp what he meant.
From that day on, my life changed completely.
