Chapter 14 - THE MOTHER WHO SOLD HER SON|
The house smelled of lavender and old books.
Isabella led them into a sitting room where a fire burned beneath a marble fireplace.
Aurelio remained standing.
"Why did you let us believe you were dead?"
His mother looked at him.
"Because I was safer that way."
"From whom?"
"Your uncle."
"Why did you help him?"
Isabella lowered herself into an armchair.
"I didn't have a choice."
Clara almost laughed.
Everyone seemed to have the same excuse.
Isabella continued.
After her husband died, Anselmo had taken control of the family business. He threatened to expose her involvement in an earlier financial agreement unless she cooperated.
She had signed documents transferring assets through Bellara.
She had also helped conceal the original trust belonging to Clara's mother.
"Why?" Clara demanded.
Isabella looked at her.
"Because your mother had something Anselmo wanted."
"The ledger?"
"And the voting rights attached to Bellara."
Clara stepped forward.
"Why did you let my father believe you were helping him?"
"Your father made his own choices."
Edward's words about accepting money suddenly returned to Clara.
Isabella had known all along.
She had used everyone.
Aurelio moved closer.
"What about the recording?"
"I was trying to prevent Anselmo from killing you."
"By planning to make Clara disappear?"
"I never wanted her harmed."
Clara's voice became sharp.
"Then why did you say those words?"
Isabella looked at her.
"Because I was trying to convince him that I was loyal."
"Did you know Aurelio was using my identity?"
Isabella didn't answer immediately.
Then she nodded.
"Yes."
Aurelio stepped back as if struck.
"Mother."
"I thought it was temporary. I believed he would confess everything once he secured Bellara."
Clara stared at him.
"You told her?"
Aurelio looked ashamed.
"I told her about the trust. Not the entire plan."
"How much did you tell her?"
"Enough."
Clara felt the final pieces fall into place.
The proposal.
The engagement dinner.
The seat beside him.
Valentina's red dress.
Everything had been arranged to make Clara feel insignificant while the families negotiated over her inheritance.
She turned toward Isabella.
"Where is the original voting agreement?"
Isabella hesitated.
"Anselmo has it."
"Then why are you still alive?"
"Because he needs me."
"Why?"
"Only I know where the second ledger is."
Thomas leaned forward.
"Where?"
Isabella looked at Aurelio.
"In the Marchetti family mausoleum."
Aurelio frowned.
"That's impossible."
"Your father placed it there before he died."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't know whether you would choose him or your uncle."
Aurelio looked devastated.
"He's my father."
"And I am your mother."
Clara felt the bitterness of the words.
Blood had become an excuse for every betrayal in this family.
Isabella stood and approached a cabinet.
She removed a small envelope.
Inside was an old photograph of Clara's mother holding a baby.
Clara recognized the child.
It was her.
But the photograph had been taken in a hospital room.
On the back was a date.
The date of Clara's birth.
And beneath it, a sentence written in Isabella's handwriting.
The child must never learn who her real father is.
Clara looked up.
"Edward isn't my biological father?"
Isabella's expression changed.
Aurelio stared at his mother.
"Who is her father?"
Isabella closed her eyes.
May you like
Then she whispered a name.
"Your father, Aurelio."
