Unlike most adults…
…she wasn’t afraid of him.
People usually sensed something dangerous about Alessandro before they even knew his name. Expensive suits and polished shoes couldn’t hide the quiet violence that surrounded him. Strangers crossed the street without understanding why. Dogs often fell silent when he walked past.
The little girl simply stared at the poster.
Then she reached out and gently tugged the sleeve of his overcoat.
« Sir… »
She pointed toward the photograph.
« …that boy lives in my house. »
For a heartbeat, the world stopped.
The rain.
The traffic.
The distant voices.
Everything disappeared beneath those eight words.
The poster slipped from Alessandro’s hand and fluttered onto the wet pavement.
He stared at the child.
« What did you say? »
She blinked innocently, surprised he needed her to repeat something so obvious.
« The boy. »
She touched Mateo’s picture with one small finger.
« He lives with us. »
