Chapter 11 - THE HOUSE WHERE EVERYTHING BEGAN
The Conti estate had been abandoned for eighteen years.
But when Sophia arrived outside its iron gates, lights glowed behind the upper windows.
Dante stood beside her.
"You don't have to go inside."
Sophia looked at the mansion.
"My mother is in there."
"I know."
She turned toward him.
"Then don't ask me to leave."
Dante nodded.
"I won't."
For the first time since she'd walked out of his home, Sophia saw something different in him.
He wasn't giving orders.
He was listening.
Rebecca had contacted authorities and provided the evidence they had collected.
Officers were approaching the property from another entrance while Dante and Sophia waited with Leo at the gate.
Then Isabella appeared on a security monitor mounted beside the entrance.
"How touching."
Sophia stepped forward.
"Where's Clara?"
Isabella smiled.
"Inside."
"Let her go."
"Bring the original inheritance documents."
Dante's expression hardened.
"You don't have the authority to make demands."
Isabella laughed.
"Don't I?"
A camera image appeared behind her.
Clara lay in a hospital bed.
She was breathing.
Alive.
Sophia pressed a hand against her mouth.
"Mom?"
Isabella watched her.
"She won't recognize you."
Sophia lifted her chin.
"Then I'll introduce myself."
The security monitor went dark.
Dante turned toward Leo.
"Status?"
"Police have secured the rear entrance. We're waiting for confirmation the hostage room is clear."
Sophia stared at the gate.
Every second felt endless.
Then a voice came through Leo's earpiece.
"The medical room is located. One patient confirmed."
Dante looked at Sophia.
"They found her."
She almost collapsed with relief.
But the next words changed everything.
"Two suspects fleeing toward the east wing."
Marcus Vale.
And Isabella.
Dante moved toward the entrance.
Sophia caught his sleeve.
"Don't get hurt."
He looked at her hand.
Then at her face.
"I'll be careful."
Inside, officers moved through the corridors.
Marcus attempted to escape through a service exit but was intercepted.
Isabella ran toward the upstairs balcony.
Dante reached the landing just as she turned.
"You destroyed everything!" she shouted.
He stopped.
"No, Isabella. You did."
She laughed bitterly.
"You chose a maid over me."
Dante's expression remained steady.
"I chose a woman you tried to erase."
Isabella backed toward the railing.
Then she whispered something unexpected.
"You still don't know why I wanted her bedroom."
Dante stared.
"The documents."
She shook her head.
"Not just the documents."
Her smile turned cold.
"The west room contains a recording your father made before he died."
Dante froze.
"What recording?"
May you like
Isabella leaned closer.
"The recording that proves Sophia's mother wasn't the only woman Marcus tried to kill."
