Now all the security precautions made sense to Cassie. Ms. Rossi’s main concern had been preventing her husband, or anyone working on his behalf, from gaining access.
“I tried to meet up with the children at the stables but they were never there. I called the school, who said they could give me no information as the children’s current legal guardian had forbidden it.”
Mr. Morandi buried his head in his hands, remembering.
“The court case was scheduled for March. I tried everything I could to bring it forward but with the children in their mother’s care, and no proof of anything untoward, it was impossible. Even then, I doubt I would have received full custody, and I know she would have fought to prevent me from having any access at all. I knew she was abusing them. Of course, with me gone, they were her next target. I was desperate.”
Cassie nodded. Now everything was making sense. The divorce had clearly been a catalyst for the worsening abuse. She wondered if Mr. Morandi would have gone ahead with it if he had known what the consequences would be.
Mr. Morandi stared directly at her, his gaze piercing and intelligent.
“I am grateful that you could be there for the girls, and thankful beyond words that the court case no longer lies ahead.” He regarded her again with a considering expression and she thought he was looking more closely at the scab on her cheek, and the bruise, which was fainter but still visible.
Cassie felt the knot in her stomach pull tighter.
“It was the least I could do,” she said in a small voice. “I’m just glad I was there to help the girls. Things did get rather out of control a couple of times, and I think it might have gotten even worse if I hadn’t been around.”
It was all she dared to say.
“You know,” he continued quietly, “it sounds terrible to say this, but I feared we would never be able to achieve a reasonable compromise. Not the way things were. I worried that the children would be the victims. I often thought, and even hoped, that somehow her dreadful behavior might attract the consequences it deserved. That she would pick a fight with the wrong person and that she would receive what was coming to her.”
There was a silence in the office for quite some time.
Cassie knew exactly what Mr. Morandi was implying. He’d been as open as he could without speaking the words outright. He knew that she’d done what he hoped somebody would do. And he wasn’t blaming her, not at all. As clearly as he dared, he was thanking her.
After a long pause, Mr. Morandi resumed speaking, in a different and more formal tone.
“A nurse is arriving this evening to look after Nonna until we can find a home where she will receive the very best care and therapy,” he continued after a while. “Certainly, living in this house was never going to be a sustainable or safe option for her,” he emphasized firmly.
“That sounds like an ideal solution,” Cassie said, grateful for the kindness he was showing to the old lady.
“And now, yourself. I would like to give you a bonus payment as a thank-you.”
He handed her an envelope and Cassie took it, surprised by the thickness of the cash inside.
“I am beyond grateful,” he repeated. “I know you are probably eager to leave, as this must have been a very unpleasant situation.”
“I was happy to stay for the girls’ sake,” Cassie mumbled, as he continued.
“You are most welcome to have dinner with us this evening, and sleep here one more night, rather than leaving in the dark. In fact, you are warmly invited to spend this time here. The girls will appreciate it.”
“Thank you for the offer. I’d like to stay one more night,” Cassie said.
Mr. Morandi smiled. “Nina and Venetia will be glad. You know, they told me while we were outside that they were impressed by your bravery. Both of them said to me they hope that one day they will be as brave as you are.”
Cassie felt touched beyond words. Her actions hadn’t felt like bravery. She’d felt as if she was operating in a state of terror, constantly on the back foot, forcing herself to act only when she felt the girls would be in danger otherwise. That wasn’t bravery—or was it?
Thinking about it, Cassie guessed that ultimately, bravery was about overcoming your fears. And perhaps, in this elegant house, faced with the unspeakable situation she’d been forced to deal with, she had found a way to do exactly that.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Cassie set her alarm for early the next morning. She needed to get out of the house before the nurse was up and about. She didn’t want to have to field any awkward questions about what Nonna might have said during the night.
She had enough Euros in her pocket to make the trip across the border and get settled in another country. Switzerland and Austria were closest, and both appealed. She remembered what Jess had said about the ski slopes. There would surely be opportunity to hole up somewhere snowy, do some skiing, and have space to come to terms with what she’d done.
When she carried her bag downstairs, she was surprised to see the girls were waiting for her at the door, dressed in their nightgowns.
“We heard you leaving and came to say goodbye,” Nina said.
“And Papa gave us this,” Venetia added. “It is a card with his email address. He said you are always welcome to visit, and if you email him, he will send
