Chapter 3 - The Truth Beneath Caroline's Grave|
I expected Luca Moretti to explode.
Instead, he became frighteningly quiet.
"Say that again."
Vanessa's lips trembled.
"My father ordered the attack."
Luca stood perfectly still.
Three years earlier, Caroline Moretti had died when an explosion destroyed the vehicle she was riding in.
The official investigation had blamed a mechanical failure followed by a fuel fire.
Everyone in Chicago knew Luca had never believed it.
Rumors claimed he'd spent millions trying to uncover the truth.
Some said men had disappeared because of his suspicions.
But no one had ever been charged.
And now his fiancée was sitting in front of him claiming that her own father had ordered Caroline's death.
"Dominic Bellini died twelve years ago," Luca said.
Vanessa nodded quickly.
"Yes."
"Caroline died three years ago."
"I know."
"Then explain how a dead man ordered her murder."
Vanessa stared at him.
I saw the moment she realized her mistake.
"Luca—"
"Explain."
She began shaking.
"My father started something years before Caroline died. People continued it after he was gone."
"Names."
"I don't know all of them."
"Then give me the ones you know."
Vanessa glanced toward Sophia.
Luca followed her eyes.
His expression softened immediately.
"Sweetheart, go upstairs with Mrs. Carter."
Sophia tightened her grip on my hand.
"No."
"Baby—"
"No, Daddy."
Her voice broke.
"I want to know what happened to Mommy."
Luca crouched beside her chair.
I had never seen a man who looked so powerful seem so helpless.
"I know."
"Then why can't I stay?"
"Because some things aren't meant for a thirteen-year-old to carry."
Sophia's eyes filled.
"But I've been carrying them anyway."
Nobody answered.
She looked toward Vanessa.
"She told me Mommy died because Daddy made dangerous people angry."
Luca went still.
"She said that?"
Sophia nodded.
"She said if I kept asking questions, something bad might happen to you, too."
I felt a chill travel down my spine.
Luca turned toward Vanessa.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he quietly removed the engagement ring from the chain he wore beneath his shirt. It was Caroline's wedding band, which he had kept close to his heart since her death.
He placed it beside the pearls.
"Mrs. Carter," he said, "please take my daughter upstairs."
Sophia began crying.
Luca kissed her forehead.
"I promise you something."
She looked at him.
"Nobody is going to silence you again."
Finally, Sophia stood.
Mrs. Carter gently guided her toward the door.
But Sophia stopped beside me.
"Miss Megan?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Will you come?"
I looked toward Luca.
He nodded.
"Take care of her."
I followed them upstairs.
But before we reached the staircase, I heard Vanessa say something.
Something that made me freeze.
"Caroline wasn't supposed to die, Luca."
There was a pause.
Then her voice broke.
"She was only supposed to disappear."
I turned.
Luca hadn't moved.
"What did you say?"
Vanessa began sobbing.
"They wanted to take her away. They wanted her to sign something. But the explosion wasn't supposed to happen."
"Who wanted to take her?"
Vanessa shook her head.
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because he'll kill my mother."
A moment passed.
Then Luca asked, "Who?"
Vanessa whispered two words.
"Your uncle."
I had heard of Antonio Moretti.
Luca's father's younger brother.
A wealthy businessman who rarely appeared in public.
He controlled several shipping companies and had spent years advising Luca on family matters.
I had seen him visit the mansion twice.
He always brought Sophia expensive gifts.
He always smiled politely.
And he always made me uncomfortable.
I guided Sophia upstairs before she could hear anything else.
Inside her bedroom, she sat on the edge of her bed.
The room was beautiful.
Pale wallpaper.
White furniture.
A canopy bed surrounded by stuffed animals.
But Sophia looked like the loneliest child in the world.
"Miss Megan?"
I knelt beside her.
"Yes?"
"Do you think Daddy will stop loving Vanessa?"
I chose my words carefully.
"That's something your father will have to decide."
Sophia looked down.
"I used to want him to love somebody again."
My heart tightened.
"That's not wrong."
"But then Vanessa came."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"She was nice when Daddy watched."
I gently squeezed her hand.
"Sometimes people behave differently when they think nobody important is looking."
Sophia looked at me.
"You're important."
The words caught me completely off guard.
Before I could answer, she opened the drawer beside her bed.
Inside was a small wooden jewelry box.
She lifted it out.
"Mommy left this for me."
She opened the lid.
Beneath a velvet lining was a folded envelope.
I recognized Caroline's elegant handwriting from the framed birthday cards around Sophia's room.
Across the front were five words.
FOR SOPHIA, WHEN SHE IS READY.
Sophia looked at me.
"Grandma Margaret told me not to open it until I turned sixteen."
She hesitated.
"But I think Mommy knew something."
I stared at the envelope.
Then at the frightened little girl.
"Sweetheart, we should show your father."
Sophia nodded.
But before either of us could move, her bedroom door slowly opened.
Antonio Moretti stood in the doorway.
May you like
He smiled.
"Well," he said softly. "There it is."
