Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Wore Her FaceAlessandro stared at the photograph.
His mother's face.
His mother's necklace.
Her posture.
Everything looked perfect.
Too perfect.
Gabriel explained.
“She has a sister.”
Alessandro frowned.
“Our mother was an only child.”
“That is what Father told us.”
A pause.
“Father lied.”
The coordinates led to an old Moretti property outside the city.
They left the estate under heavy security.
Sophia refused to let Lily go.
Alessandro overruled her.
“She stays with me.”
Gabriel drove.
Marco followed in another vehicle.
The mansion was abandoned.
Windows boarded.
Garden overgrown.
A place designed to look dead.
Inside, they found Luca tied to a chair.
Alive.
Barely conscious.
Alessandro rushed toward him.
“Who did this?”
Luca laughed weakly.
“She did.”
“Who?”
Luca looked toward the hallway.
“Your mother.”
Alessandro froze.
A woman stepped from the darkness.
She looked exactly like the photograph.
Exactly like the memories.
Alessandro could barely speak.
“Mom?”
The woman smiled.
“My son.”
Gabriel raised his weapon.
“Don't.”
The woman looked at him.
“You always were difficult.”
Alessandro's head spun.
“What is happening?”
The woman sighed.
“You've inherited your father's stubbornness.”
She walked closer.
“I am not your mother.”
Alessandro stared.
“Who are you?”
She removed a ring.
A black signet.
The same crest Lily had seen.
“Marina Moretti.”
Gabriel whispered:
“Father's secret wife.”
Alessandro looked at Luca.
“And you knew?”
Luca shook his head.
“I found out today.”
Marina smiled.
“That is why you are still alive.”
She looked at Lily.
Then her smile vanished.
“Bring me the girl.”
Alessandro stepped in front of Lily.
“No.”
Marina sighed.
“You don't understand what she carries.”
“What?”
“The truth.”
She pointed at Lily.
“Her blood can expose everything your family buried.”
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
“Where is my real mother?”
Marina looked toward Gabriel.
“He knows.”
Everyone turned.
Gabriel looked down.
Marina whispered:
“She was alive when you were twelve.”
Alessandro stared.
“Then what happened?”
Gabriel said nothing.
Marina answered for him.
“She was killed because she tried to tell you the truth.”
Alessandro felt fury rise.
“Who killed her?”
Marina looked at Luca.
Luca looked at Gabriel.
Gabriel finally lifted his eyes.
“I did.”
May you like
Alessandro raised his gun.
And pulled the trigger.
