Chapter 18 - VALENTINA'S CONFESSION
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Valentina knew Gabriel had returned before Rocco told her.
She saw the security footage of him entering the mansion and recognized the shape of his face, the way he held his shoulders, and the small scar beneath his chin.
He looked like Rocco's father.
She waited in the library until Rocco entered.
“Is it true?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Matteo is alive?”
“His name is Gabriel now.”
Valentina sank into a chair.
For years, she had told herself that separating the twins had been necessary. Victor had convinced her that enemies would target the children, and she had believed that a false death certificate would protect them.
But the lies had grown beyond anything she could control.
“Why did you do it?” Rocco asked.
Valentina looked at him.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Your father. Victor. Your enemies. You.”
Rocco stared at her.
“You were afraid of me?”
“You were becoming more powerful every year. I thought if something happened to the boys, I would have nothing. Victor said he could protect them, but only if their identities were changed.”
“So you allowed one son to disappear.”
“I thought he would be safe.”
“And Matteo?”
Valentina's eyes filled with tears.
“I was told he died. I didn't know Victor had falsified the records.”
Rocco's expression remained cold.
“Did you order Leo's abandonment?”
She shook her head.
“I ordered Claire to take him away from the mansion. I believed he was evidence that could expose the hospital scheme. Victor told me the child would be transferred to a safe facility.”
“You knew he might be left outside.”
“No.”
“Did you ask where he was going?”
Valentina covered her face.
“No.”
Rocco turned away.
Her failure had not been a simple misunderstanding. She had chosen secrecy over a child's safety, and that choice had nearly cost an innocent life.
“Why was Isabella targeted?”
Valentina hesitated.
“She discovered that Victor had used false adoption records to hide several children. One of them was Gabriel. Another was a little girl named Grace.”
“Grace was my father's daughter.”
Valentina nodded.
“I knew.”
“Did you know Elena was her descendant?”
“No. I swear I didn't.”
Rocco studied her.
For the first time, Valentina looked less like a mastermind and more like a woman trapped inside the lies she had helped create.
“Where is Victor now?”
“I don't know.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“He called me last night. He said the second envelope had been found and that he would leave the country.”
Rocco immediately reached for his phone.
Dominic confirmed that Victor's private aircraft had been prepared for departure.
Rocco ordered the airport secured and the evidence transferred to federal investigators.
Valentina stood.
“What will happen to me?”
“You will answer for what you did.”
She nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
She looked toward the nursery, where Sophia was reading to Leo.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
Valentina walked toward the door, then stopped.
“There is something else. Victor told me Isabella was not the only person who survived the original accident.”
Rocco turned.
“Who else?”
Valentina's voice dropped.
“The woman who raised Gabriel before he was adopted.”
Gabriel appeared in the doorway.
“What woman?”
Valentina looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Your first mother.”
May you like
Gabriel's face lost its color.
“She might still be alive.”
