Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
The investigation led them to an old Moretti property outside Chicago.
The house had been empty for years.
Victor claimed Anthony had used it for private meetings.
Nia entered carefully beside Luca.
Dust covered the furniture.
The rooms smelled of old wood and forgotten memories.
Then Luca stopped.
A framed photograph hung above the fireplace.
It showed Anthony Moretti standing beside a young woman.
Nia stared.
“Who is she?”
Luca didn't answer.
Victor walked closer.
“My aunt.”
“Your aunt?”
“My father's younger sister.”
Luca's face tightened.
“I thought she died.”
“So did everyone.”
Victor removed the photograph.
Behind it was a small envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
If Luca ever has children, keep them away from the Moretti family until the truth comes out.
Nia read it twice.
“Why?”
Victor pointed toward a second photograph.
It showed Anthony with several businessmen.
One of them was Victor's father.
Another was a lawyer Nia recognized from old financial news.
And beside them stood a woman.
Evelyn.
But the photograph was dated twelve years earlier.
Luca turned toward her.
“You knew my family before you met me.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“I didn't.”
Victor interrupted.
“She did.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Victor.”
“You're lying again.”
Nia felt the old betrayal return.
“Evelyn, who are you?”
Evelyn slowly sat down.
“My real name isn't Evelyn Shaw.”
Luca stared.
“What?”
“My name is Eva Moretti.”
The room went silent.
She was Anthony's illegitimate daughter.
Luca's half-sister.
And she had been placed inside his company years before the divorce.
Nia's voice was barely audible.
“Why?”
“To protect you.”
“From what?”
Eva looked at Luca.
“Your father wasn't the villain.”
Luca froze.
“Then who was?”
Eva reached into her bag.
She removed an old cassette recording.
“I found this after he died.”
She pressed play.
Anthony's voice filled the room.
“If you're hearing this, someone has already tried to separate my son from his children.”
Luca closed his eyes.
Anthony continued.
“Do not trust the person closest to him.”
Nia looked at Luca.
Then Eva.
Then Victor.
Everyone seemed to be hiding something.
The recording continued.
“The person who betrayed us has access to every account, every legal document, and every private communication.”
A pause.
Then Anthony said one final sentence.
“He is family.”
Victor suddenly stepped backward.
Nia noticed.
“Victor?”
May you like
He didn't answer.
He ran.
