Chapter 7 - The Sister Who Came Home With the Truth|
Isabella Moretti returned to the mansion two days later.
She arrived in a dark blue coat, carrying a small suitcase and a folder of documents.
Her brown hair was tied back.
Her eyes were tired.
And when she stepped through the front doors, she looked as though she hadn't slept properly in weeks.
Luca saw her first.
“Bella.”
She stopped.
Then her face crumpled.
“Luca.”
He crossed the marble floor and pulled her into his arms.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Isabella began crying.
“I thought you wouldn't believe me.”
Luca held her tighter.
“I should have listened sooner.”
She shook her head.
“Vanessa said you thought I was trying to ruin your wedding.”
His expression hardened.
“She lied.”
Isabella clung to him.
“I know that now.”
I stood near the doorway, watching them.
For eleven months, I'd seen Luca Moretti as a man who rarely showed emotion.
He was controlled.
Demanding.
Feared.
But now he held his sister like a brother who had nearly lost something he could never replace.
After several minutes, he pulled back.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Did anyone threaten you?”
Her expression changed.
“Yes.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“Who?”
“Richard.”
The room fell silent.
Isabella continued.
“He told me that if I reported the financial records, he'd destroy the foundation Mom created.”
Luca stared.
“And Vanessa?”
“She said I was being selfish.”
Isabella laughed bitterly.
“She told me it was only money.”
I thought of the piano.
The broken keys.
The beautiful ivory comb.
The way Vanessa had called something precious furniture.
She had used the same excuse for everything.
It was only money.
Only a piano.
Only six keys.
Only a sister whose concerns were inconvenient.
Luca guided Isabella into the sitting room.
I brought tea.
She smiled when she saw me.
“Emma.”
I blinked.
“You know my name?”
She nodded.
“I've heard about you.”
My face warmed.
“From whom?”
“Mrs. Alvarez.”
The older housekeeper smiled from the doorway.
Isabella continued.
“She told me you refused to let Vanessa throw away Mom's piano.”
I looked down.
“I couldn't let it happen.”
Her eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
I swallowed.
“I'm glad I helped.”
Isabella reached for my hand.
“Emma, you did more than you realize.”
I looked up.
She smiled sadly.
“When I couldn't reach Luca, I was afraid nobody would believe me.”
Her voice trembled.
“I thought Vanessa had convinced everyone I was unstable.”
Luca's expression hardened.
Isabella continued.
“Then I remembered what Mom used to say.”
She looked toward the piano photograph.
If someone is trying to make you feel small, look for the person who treats small things with care.
My throat tightened.
“She meant people like you.”
I began crying.
Luca looked toward me.
For a moment, his expression softened.
Then Isabella opened her folder.
Inside were copies of financial statements, emails, and a notarized declaration from her mother's former attorney.
She placed them on the table.
“These documents show Richard's companies received unauthorized transfers.”
Luca examined them.
His jaw tightened.
“And the original records?”
Isabella swallowed.
“Richard still has the metal cylinder.”
He nodded.
“Investigators are looking for it.”
She looked toward the window.
“There's something you need to know.”
Luca looked up.
“What?”
“Vanessa didn't start searching the piano because she wanted the ivory.”
My stomach tightened.
“Then why?” I asked.
Isabella looked toward me.
“Richard told her the seventh key concealed a record of the original trust arrangements.”
Luca frowned.
“How did he know?”
“Mom's former attorney wrote about it in a letter years ago.”
She paused.
“Richard obtained a copy.”
Luca stared.
“So Vanessa knew where to look.”
“Yes.”
Isabella's eyes filled.
“But she made a mistake.”
I leaned forward.
“What mistake?”
“She assumed the metal cylinder was the only evidence.”
Luca looked toward the piano.
“And it wasn't?”
Isabella slowly shook her head.
“Mom made copies.”
Silence.
May you like
Then she smiled through tears.
“And she hid them inside the music itself.”
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