Chapter 10 - HIS MOTHER'S LAST LIE|
Isabella Moretti received them in a room filled with white roses and antique portraits.
She sat beside the fireplace in a cream silk dress, her silver hair arranged perfectly. She looked less like the mother of a mafia boss than the patron of an exclusive museum.
When Adrian entered with Elena, Isabella's gaze fell immediately to the ring.
“You brought it home.”
“No,” Adrian replied. “I brought the truth.”
Isabella's expression barely changed.
“I don't know what nonsense this woman has told you, but she is not welcome here.”
Elena stood straight.
“I didn't come for your permission.”
“You were a nurse at a provincial clinic. You had no business involving yourself in this family.”
“I treated a wounded man. Your family turned that into a crime.”
Isabella rose.
“You know nothing about what happened.”
“Then explain the ring.”
For the first time, Isabella's composure faltered.
Adrian noticed.
“Tell me why you burned her letters.”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
“From a woman who wanted access to our money and influence.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You didn't even know me.”
“I knew enough.”
“You knew what Vincent told you.”
Isabella's face hardened.
“Your uncle understood what was necessary to preserve this family. He understood that love makes men weak.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Did you arrange for Dr. Sloane to alter my medical records?”
“I arranged for you to receive the treatment you needed.”
“Did you tell me Elena was dead?”
“I told you she was dangerous.”
“Did you know her father was murdered?”
Isabella looked away.
That was all the answer Adrian needed.
He stepped closer.
“Did you know?”
“I never ordered his death.”
“But you knew.”
“I learned about it afterward.”
“And you said nothing.”
Isabella's voice rose.
“I had a son who could barely remember his own name! Vincent was threatening to destroy everything your father built. The police were compromised. Men were disappearing. I did what I had to do.”
“You let me believe an innocent woman betrayed me.”
“I saved your life.”
“You stole it.”
The words echoed through the room.
Isabella's eyes filled, but Adrian did not move toward her.
For the first time, he saw the cost of the loyalty she demanded. She had not simply concealed a crime. She had made every person in the family complicit in it.
Elena watched him struggle.
She understood that hatred would be easier. Hatred required no grief, no complicated memories, no acknowledgment that the woman who had raised him might once have been frightened enough to believe her own lies.
“Who ordered my father's death?” Elena asked.
Isabella closed her eyes.
“Vincent.”
Adrian's expression went cold.
“Where is he?”
“He left the country years ago.”
“No,” Dominic said from the doorway. “He returned three weeks ago.”
Isabella looked at him sharply.
Dominic continued.
“His private jet landed yesterday. He has been meeting with three members of the family council.”
Adrian turned toward his mother.
“You knew he was back.”
“I was trying to prevent a war.”
“You prevented nothing.”
He took Elena's hand, careful not to touch the ring.
“We're leaving.”
As they reached the door, Isabella spoke again.
“Adrian, if you go after Vincent, he will destroy you.”
Adrian did not turn around.
May you like
“He already did that once.”
Then he walked out, carrying the ledger that could dismantle his empire and the truth that could destroy what remained of his family.
