Chapter 3 - WHAT MY MOTHER HID BEHIND THE WALL
Sofia returned to the Moretti mansion at noon.
Not to reconcile.
To search.
Alessandro was waiting in the foyer.
He had not changed clothes.
His eyes were bloodshot.
His wedding ring remained on his hand.
“Sofia.”
“Don’t.”
One word stopped him.
She walked past.
He followed at a distance.
“Where are you going?”
“The west bedroom.”
His face changed.
That told her everything.
“You knew.”
“Sofia—”
“You knew there was something in there.”
He said nothing.
She turned.
“How long?”
“Years.”
Rage burned through her.
“You let me sleep beside my dying mother in a room you were secretly searching?”
“No.”
“Then explain.”
Alessandro closed the door behind them.
“Your mother told me something before she died.”
Sofia’s breath caught.
“What?”
“She made me promise not to tell you unless you were in danger.”
“She was my mother.”
“I know.”
“No. Apparently you don’t.”
She crossed the room.
The bed had been stripped.
The sheets were gone.
Seeing it made her stomach twist.
“This room still smells like her perfume sometimes.”
Alessandro looked away.
For once, shame defeated him.
Sofia noticed a section of wall beside the fireplace where the molding looked slightly different.
She pressed it.
Nothing.
Alessandro stepped forward.
“Move.”
“I can do it.”
“Sofia.”
She glared.
He stopped.
She examined the panel herself.
A tiny brass latch was hidden beneath the trim.
When she pulled it, a narrow compartment opened.
Inside was a wooden box.
Her hands trembled.
She recognized it.
Her mother’s jewelry box.
Sofia sat on the edge of the bed.
Inside were letters.
A key.
And a photograph.
Her mother, Elena Marino, stood beside Alessandro’s father, Vittorio Moretti.
Both were much younger.
Behind them was Sofia’s father.
Three families.
Three smiles.
One secret.
She opened the first letter.
My Sofia,
If you are reading this, then the agreement failed.
Your father and Vittorio Moretti built something together that neither family was meant to inherit.
Sofia frowned.
Alessandro sat beside her but did not touch her.
She continued.
They called it the Covenant Fund.
Sofia looked at him.
“What is that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t lie to me again.”
“I’m not.”
She kept reading.
The fund was created to protect wives and children if either family’s criminal business ever turned against them.
Millions of dollars.
Safe identities.
Properties overseas.
Evidence.
Enough leverage to dismantle both organizations.
Sofia’s heart pounded.
Then she reached the final paragraph.
The key opens the original vault.
But only Sofia Moretti may legally access it.
Alessandro stared at the key.
Sofia looked at him.
“Is this why Valentina was here?”
His face hardened.
“No.”
“Then why?”
He stood.
“Because Gabriel Russo believes the vault contains something that can destroy him.”
Before Sofia could respond, gunfire erupted outside.
Alessandro moved instantly.
He pulled her behind the stone fireplace.
Three shots.
Then silence.
His phone rang.
Marco.
Alessandro answered.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He looked at Sofia.
May you like
Then quietly said:
“Gabriel just kidnapped Valentina.”
