Chapter 6 - THE MOTHER CAMILLE THOUGHT WAS DEAD
Camille believed her mother died when she was fourteen.
That was the story Patrick told everyone.
Aneurysm.
Private funeral.
Closed casket.
Now records showed Evelyn Sloane alive under another name in a private psychiatric facility.
Patrick paid cash.
No insurance.
No visitors.
My first instinct was to tell Camille.
Naomi stopped me.
“Proof first.”
I hated that sentence.
Still, she was right.
Mara obtained a lawful court order through a confidential guardianship review.
Evelyn existed.
Alive.
Competent enough to communicate.
Heavily medicated for years.
Why?
Because she had witnessed Patrick order a murder.
Not any murder.
The death of his own brother.
Camille’s uncle.
Patrick used criminal control to keep Evelyn hidden.
Then told his daughter she was dead.
I began to understand Camille differently.
Not forgive.
Understand.
People who grow up under terror sometimes learn to become useful to the person terrifying them.
That did not excuse what she did to Jack and Rosie.
But it explained why Arthur’s phrase mattered:
Ask your father.
Patrick controlled the timetable.
Camille may have been working under threat too.
We arranged a monitored meeting with Evelyn.
When she saw Camille’s photograph, she cried.
“My baby.”
I felt something in my chest twist.
“Does Patrick know Camille believes you’re dead?”
Evelyn stared.
“He told her?”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
“He punishes children through mothers.”
That sentence stayed with me.
Evelyn told us Patrick had always wanted access to Moretti shipping.
The engagement was never peace.
It was acquisition.
If Camille married me, Patrick gained proximity.
If I died, the guardianship documents gave Camille custody.
Patrick controlled Camille.
Therefore Patrick controlled my children.
Simple.
Cold.
Efficient.
“What does Arthur get?”
“Money.”
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“Arthur always wanted Roman’s legal empire.”
I leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
Evelyn looked at me.
“He doesn’t want your criminal routes.”
“What does he want?”
“Your legitimate companies.”
Arthur knew more about my logistics holdings than almost anyone alive.
He structured them.
Created trusts.
Built protections.
And apparently designed loopholes.
Evelyn continued.
“The children’s inheritance is the key.”
Jack and Rosie inherited Isabella’s family shares.
Combined with my holdings, they would eventually control the majority of Moretti Logistics.
If I died before they came of age, their guardian could influence those votes.
Patrick wanted routes.
Arthur wanted companies.
Camille was the bridge.
Then Evelyn grabbed my wrist.
Harder than I expected.
“Do not confront Patrick privately.”
“Why?”
“He wants you angry.”
Everyone did, apparently.
Evelyn’s eyes sharpened.
“He has recordings.”
“What recordings?”
“Of you.”
My blood ran cold.
“Violence. Threats. Men kneeling. Your voice giving orders.”
Of course.
Enough to destroy me publicly.
Maybe enough to challenge custody.
May you like
Then Evelyn whispered:
“And he has one recording that will make your children believe you killed their mother.”
