Whisper My Name

Chapter 49

April 12, 1992

Victor Kiriakis Mansion

Words like punches - things we said

Under the belt and in the head

Down for the count in a cold cold bed

Beat by jealousy

~ (Beat By) Jealousy ~ Heart ~

Shane glanced at John warily. He wasn't sure that this plan would work, but John had assured him, there was no way that it would fail. Shane believed him. If there was someone who knew Stefano DiMera better than anyone else on earth, it was John Black. That could be ascertained simply by the breadth of the testimony he'd delivered. If John said that Stefano Dimera wouldn't be able to curb his narcissistic tendencies, thereby sneaking into the Kirakis estate to see Isabella, then Shane was going to trust him. Isabella's room had been fitted with three separate video cameras, as well as recording equipment, because John was also fairly certain that Stefano was going to wax poetic about his many (or not so many) achievements.

Victor's house had several points of entry, all of them usually being guarded by a strict security detail. Shane and John had arranged for Victor's security detail to be replaced by undercover ISA officers. This was the third night they'd been stationed there. John was certain that all they needed was patience. Stefano would come, and when he did, the plan was to allow him in, so that he could see Isabella. She had insisted on being a part of it. Even in the end, she was determined to be part of the plan, and John had to admire that.

Shane's earpiece crackled with static, and then he heard, "I have confirmation of a sighting, Chief. The south west entry point."

Shane looked at John, in surprise, and said, "Well, Mr. Black, you were right." Both of them turned towards the monitors in the back of the surveillance vehicle.

"I knew that self righteous bastard couldn't stay away," John said, glancing quickly at Shane with a grin.

Stefano entered Isabella's room quietly, and closed the door behind him with a soft snick. He thought himself sneaky having not been caught. His arrogance would be his downfall. Isabella's eyes fluttered open, as she stared at him in feigned surprise. He was dressed as a gardener, wearing overalls, and a thick fake mustache with a hat pulled low over his eyes. She wasn't sure why a disguise of that nature would be useful at this time of night, the people who worked in the gardens would have left before dinner. "How did you get in here?" she asked him, knowing full well that Shane's men had allowed him inside.

Stefano stared at her for a moment. Her small emaciated frame was settled in the center of the large bed. Stefano was struck by her features, because she was the vision of his mother, although her hair was that of Loretta. Those deep eyes, and delicate chin, along with the shape of her jaw. Just like his own mother. He'd never had a moment in his life where he was struck speechless until now. Stepping closer, he finally said roughly, "I needed to see you."

Isabella eyed him warily from where she sat in her bed, "Why? Did you know you were my father?"

Stefano shook his head, "I did not know. I never knew until... until I was informed just a few days ago."

"It doesn't matter. I'm dying anyway, so none of it matters," she said softly. He seemed genuinely upset over having found out so late.

"It matters to me," he said. He thought about Megan, Renee, and Benjy. He thought about Kristen and Peter, and what he'd done to their mother. He had spent his life walking over others to gain his own desires. "I have made so many mistakes in my life. I needed to see you."