Chapter 10 - THE MOTHER WHO WAS NEVER BURIED
Sophia had already lost one mother.
Now she discovered the other might still be alive.
"Where is she?"
Her voice barely carried across the kitchen.
Daniel examined the transfer record.
"A private rehabilitation center near Milwaukee."
Sophia grabbed her coat.
"I'm going."
"Sophia, we need to be careful."
"She's my mother."
"She may not know who you are."
Sophia stopped.
The possibility struck harder than she'd expected.
After twenty-seven years, what could she possibly say?
Hello, I'm the daughter you thought was dead.
Evelyn approached her.
"Whatever happens, you don't have to face it alone."
Sophia nodded.
They drove to the rehabilitation center that afternoon.
The building sat behind tall maple trees.
A receptionist checked the record.
Then her smile disappeared.
"I'm sorry. That patient isn't here."
Daniel showed the transfer confirmation.
The receptionist examined it.
"She was moved."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Sophia's stomach tightened.
"Where?"
"I'm not authorized to disclose that."
Daniel produced his legal credentials.
A supervisor joined them.
After several tense minutes, the woman returned with a folder.
"The transfer was requested by Clara Conti's legal guardian."
Sophia leaned forward.
"Who?"
The supervisor hesitated.
"Isabella Conti."
Sophia gripped the counter.
The woman who had stolen her bedroom had also moved her mother.
She turned toward Daniel.
"Call Dante."
Daniel stared.
"Are you sure?"
Sophia took out her phone.
"I don't trust him with my heart right now. But he knows how these people operate."
Dante answered on the first ring.
"Sophia?"
"I need help."
His voice changed instantly.
"Tell me where you are."
She explained everything.
He didn't interrupt.
When she finished, he said, "I'm coming."
Two hours later, Dante arrived at the rehabilitation center with Rebecca and Leo.
Sophia stood near the entrance.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
He appeared tired.
She looked guarded.
Dante stopped several feet away.
"I won't touch you unless you want me to."
Sophia nodded.
"Thank you."
He turned to Rebecca.
"Get the transfer authorization."
Rebecca began speaking with the facility's administrator.
Minutes later, she returned with a copy.
The guardian authorization was signed by Isabella Conti.
But the destination facility had been concealed behind a private corporate name.
Dante examined it.
Then his expression hardened.
"I know this company."
Sophia looked up.
"Who owns it?"
He stared at the document.
"Marcus Vale."
A new message arrived on Dante's phone.
A photograph showed Clara Conti lying in a hospital bed.
Beside her stood Isabella.
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Below was a sentence.
BRING SOPHIA TO THE OLD CONTI ESTATE, OR HER MOTHER WILL NEVER WAKE UP.
