Chapter 9 - THE CEMETERYThe Bellini family cemetery sat on a hill outside the city.

Rain began falling before Vittorio arrived.

He parked beside the chapel.

Elena stayed in the car.

Isabella refused to leave.

Vittorio walked alone.

The cemetery was empty.

Almost.

A single umbrella stood beside Isabella's grave.

Under it was Bianca.

She held Lucy by the wrist.

Lucy looked terrified.

Marcus stood ten feet behind them.

“Let her go.”

Bianca smiled.

“You found the real princess.”

Vittorio stopped.

“Her name is Isabella.”

“I know.”

Bianca looked toward the grave.

“Your mother was very clever.”

“She hid her from you.”

“She hid her from everyone.”

“Why?”

“Because your father wanted her.”

Vittorio stared.

“Where is he?”

Bianca's smile faded.

“He's closer than you think.”

A car door slammed behind Vittorio.

He turned.

Six men surrounded him.

He raised his hands.

“Fine.”

Bianca walked toward him.

“You brought the key?”

“No.”

She looked at Lucy.

“Then perhaps she tells us.”

Lucy shook her head.

“I don't know.”

Bianca grabbed her face.

“You know.”

Vittorio's voice hardened.

“Touch her again and you die.”

Bianca smiled.

“There he is.”

She had always loved this part of him.

The dangerous part.

The man who could make boardrooms go silent with one look.

She leaned close.

“Do you know why I married you?”

“You already told me.”

“No.”

She whispered:

“Because your father promised me something.”

“What?”

“My freedom.”

Vittorio stared.

Bianca's eyes filled with anger.

“He owns everyone.”

“Then why obey him?”

“Because if I don't, he kills Lucy.”

Vittorio looked at Lucy.

Bianca continued.

“She was born after I realized what he'd done.”

“Done what?”

“He took your real daughter.”

Vittorio's breathing stopped.

“You mean Isabella.”

Bianca nodded.

“He intended to kill her.”

“Why?”

“Because she was proof that Isabella Bellini had survived.”

Vittorio stared.

His mother had planned for her granddaughter to expose the empire.

Bianca had tried to save her.

She had failed.

“So you planted Lucy.”

“Yes.”

“To protect Isabella.”

“At first.”

“At first?”

Bianca looked away.

“Then everything changed.”

“How?”

“I fell in love with Lucy.”

Lucy stared at her.

For the first time, Bianca looked genuinely broken.

“I couldn't hand her over.”

“So you abused her?”

“I was trying to make everyone believe I hated her.”

Vittorio's eyes narrowed.

“The dog bowl.”

Bianca cried silently.

“The men watching the house needed proof that I was treating her badly. I thought if they believed she was worthless, they would stop watching.”

Vittorio stared.

“Then why did Marcus record it?”

Bianca looked toward Marcus.

“I didn't tell him.”

Marcus smiled.

“Because I had another plan.”

He raised his gun.

And shot Bianca.

Lucy screamed.

Bianca collapsed.

Vittorio lunged toward Lucy.

Marcus pointed the gun at him.

“Now.”

The cemetery gate opened.

A black SUV rolled inside.

The rear door opened.

An old man stepped out.

Vittorio recognized him instantly.

His father.

Alive.

The old man smiled.

“Hello, son.”

Vittorio felt the world disappear beneath his feet.

His father walked toward them.

“You've caused quite a mess.”

Vittorio stared.

“You're dead.”

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His father smiled.

“You were supposed to be.”