The CEO, the Puppy and Me

“Even if it means removing the pages in question from the journal?”

Gia momentarily hesitated. “Even then.”

Nate nodded in understanding. “Then let’s do this.”

Inside the lab, they shook hands with a shorter, older man. Gia was very quiet. Her hands tightly gripped the journal. And the smile had disappeared from her face.

“May I have the journal?” Nate asked.

Gia handed it over and then wrung her hands.

Nate quickly located a page with some crossed out writing. “I’m going to see if I can hold it up to a very bright light to see if we can make out the original writing.”

They struggled to hold the journal up to the light. It quickly became evident that this process would work better if the page was removed from the journal. With a sharp knife, Nate sliced the page from the book near the spine.

And so they worked through a process starting with a bright light and then applying a blue light. Neither was able to distinguish the handwriting from the scratch-out marks.

Next, they tried applying some heat to warm the paper to see if it would make a difference with the ink. Again, it didn’t work.

Finally they ran the page through a high-resolution scanner that was equipped with image editing software that was able to discern the different inks by applying a cont

rast. As the two men worked to get the contrast just right to display the text, Gia rubbed her hands together.

One look at her rigid shoulders and clenched hands let Ric know her whole body was tense. This just had to work. He wasn’t sure how much more she was up for. She’d already endured so much when she lost her parents.

He moved close to her and draped his arm over her shoulders, drawing her to his side. He wasn’t sure how she’d react, but the next thing he knew, she was leaning into him. He welcomed the warmth of her body. Her head landed against his shoulder. He leaned his head to the side, resting his cheek against her silky hair. He breathed in its floral scent from her shampoo.

He wasn’t sure how long they stood there quietly waiting and watching. Gia didn’t move. Neither did he. He wanted to be there for her—to be the pillar of strength she’d need if this experiment didn’t yield the desired results.

“We got it!” Nate projected the image on the large monitor.

Gia let go of Ric as she rushed forward. “I can’t believe it. It worked!”

“It did,” Nate said. “It really helped that your mother used two different colored pens.”

Ric moved to stand with them. His gaze focused on the words now revealed.

I’m so mad at Aldo. Why does he have to be such a jerk about the inheritance? His stupid pride. It always comes back to the money. I wish I’d never inherited it.

Ric wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but he was certain it was of no help in finding Gia’s biological father. He turned his attention to her. Her momentary excitement had deteriorated into a frown.

“I’m sorry it’s not what you were hoping for,” Ric said.

“Do it again.” There was determination tinged with desperation in Gia’s voice. “Whatever it costs, I’ll pay it.”

And so they did it again with another page.

And again, they uncovered her mother being upset with Aldo—for forcing a separation.

But it was on the third try that they uncovered something useful. Gia stood front and center, staring up at the screen.

Ric positioned himself behind her. His height enabled him to look over her to the words on the screen.

Stupid. Stupid. How could I have let this happen? Too much anger—too much wine—and a sweet-talking man. Now I’m pregnant with Berto Gallo’s baby.

When I went to tell him, he never gave me a chance. He turned me away without letting me say a word. He said if I came back, he’d have me arrested. Arrested!

Oh, what a colossal mess.