Chapter 12 - THE KEY INSIDE THE CHILDDaniel refused to let go of the key.
Alejandro tried to understand how.
“Where did you get this?”
“Grandpa.”
“Which grandpa?”
Daniel looked confused.
“The one downstairs.”
“There is no one downstairs.”
Daniel shook his head.
“There is.”
They followed him.
The boy led them beneath the kitchen.
Behind a stone wall was another hidden staircase.
At the bottom stood a steel door.
The key fit.
Alejandro opened it.
Inside was a vault.
Not money.
Not weapons.
Documents.
Thousands of them.
Bank transfers.
Photographs.
Recordings.
Blackmail files.
Names of judges.
Governors.
Business leaders.
Even presidents.
The Black Ledger.
Victor stared.
“This is everything.”
Alejandro didn't answer.
He was looking at one particular file.
His father's name.
Inside were photographs of crimes committed decades ago.
Then one photograph stopped him.
A photograph of his mother.
Alive.
Years after her supposed death.
Alejandro touched it.
“That can't be.”
Daniel pointed.
“Mom said she used to live here.”
Alejandro looked at him.
“What?”
Daniel shrugged.
“She came to see us.”
“Who?”
“Grandma.”
Alejandro stared at the child.
His mother had been alive.
Somewhere.
Maybe for years.
Maybe watched.
Maybe imprisoned.
A hidden audio file began playing.
His mother's voice filled the vault.
“Alejandro, if you are hearing this, then everything has gone wrong.”
Alejandro stopped breathing.
“I know your father will try to control you.”
The voice trembled.
“Do not trust Stefano.”
Alejandro looked at Victor.
Then the recording continued.
“Do not trust Valentina.”
Alejandro went still.
“And most of all…”
A pause.
“Do not trust Clara.”
The recording ended.
Alejandro slowly turned.
Clara stood at the vault entrance.
She looked exhausted.
Tears filled her eyes.
“You finally found it.”
Alejandro raised his gun.
“You knew.”
Clara looked at him.
“I knew everything.”
“Where are the children?”
“Here.”
“Why?”
“To protect them.”
“From whom?”
Clara's voice broke.
“From you.”
Alejandro froze.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It will.”
She reached into her coat.
Pulled out a photograph.
Alejandro saw himself in a hospital six years ago.
Beside him stood Clara.
And behind Clara was a man.
Alejandro recognized him.
His father.
Alive.
Clara whispered:
“He was the one who ordered me to have Emma.”
Alejandro stared.
“Why?”
“Because he needed your blood.”
The room went silent.
“Project Eve required a direct descendant.”
Alejandro looked at Emma.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because your father threatened Daniel's life.”
“Daniel is mine.”
“No.”
Clara shook her head.
“Daniel is not your son.”
Alejandro stared.
“Then whose?”
Clara looked at the child.
“He is Matteo's.”
Alejandro's face changed.
Daniel lowered his head.
May you like
Clara whispered:
“And Matteo has been dead for five years.”
