Chapter 8 - The Voice of a Man Who Died Eleven Years AgoAlessandra couldn't move.
The voice behind her was unmistakable.
Older than she remembered.
Rougher.
But hers was a memory that could not be fooled.
Her father's voice.
Then the man released her.
She spun.
Nobody.
Only darkness.
Her guards rushed into the chapel.
Elias held Mason behind him.
Bianca was clutching Caleb.
The emergency lights came on.
No one was there.
Except a speaker beneath the altar.
A hidden device.
A recording.
Alessandra stared.
Her father's voice continued.
“My daughter, if you are hearing this, the person speaking to you may sound like me.”
The voice paused.
“But he is not me.”
Alessandra's blood froze.
“He learned how to imitate my voice.”
She looked at Bianca.
“Who?”
The recording continued.
“Adrian Vale.”
The name echoed through the chapel.
“My death was staged.”
Alessandra dropped the speaker.
“What?”
The recording continued.
“I discovered Adrian was running a private network inside the family. He manufactured debts, forged documents, and manipulated succession.”
Elias stepped forward.
“Then why didn't your father expose him?”
Alessandra's eyes filled with tears.
Because the next words answered the question.
“Because someone in my immediate family helped him.”
The recording ended.
Mason began crying.
Bianca looked toward Vincent's office across the estate.
Alessandra suddenly knew where she had to go.
They returned to the mansion.
Vincent was waiting in the council room.
Francesca stood beside him.
The entire family council had gathered.
Alessandra entered with Elias.
Gasps filled the room.
One elder stood.
“Elias?”
Francesca's face hardened.
“Leave.”
“No.”
Alessandra placed the succession charter on the table.
“The original documents.”
Murmurs spread.
Vincent stepped forward.
“Those papers are worthless.”
“Why?”
“Because the council recognizes Mason.”
“Based on forged records.”
Silence.
Bianca stepped into the room.
“She's telling the truth.”
Vincent stared at his wife.
“You're betraying me.”
Bianca's voice shook.
“You betrayed all of us first.”
Francesca slapped the table.
“This family does not collapse because of one sick child.”
Elias looked at her.
“One sick child?”
His voice was calm.
“You locked me away because I was inconvenient.”
Vincent snapped:
“Enough.”
He reached for Elias.
Alessandra's guards stepped forward.
Then the room doors opened.
A man entered.
Gray suit.
Silver watch.
Scar beside his mouth.
Adrian Vale.
Everyone went silent.
Adrian smiled.
“Forgive the interruption.”
Alessandra felt her blood run cold.
Francesca whispered:
“You weren't invited.”
“No.”
Adrian looked at Elias.
“But I was expected.”
He placed a folder on the table.
“Before we argue about succession, perhaps we should discuss the child.”
He turned toward Caleb.
Caleb buried his face against Alessandra.
Adrian pointed at him.
“That boy is not who you think he is.”
Alessandra froze.
“What does that mean?”
Adrian smiled.
“Your son has an inheritance.”
Elias frowned.
“Everyone knows that.”
“Not this inheritance.”
Adrian opened the folder.
Inside was a DNA report.
Alessandra stared at the page.
At the bottom was a line that made her knees weak.
May you like
Caleb's biological father was not the man she had married.
And Francesca had known.
