Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Remembered the Blue Marble

The moment I heard Isabella had disappeared, I felt seven years old again.

Small.

Powerless.

Watching adults carry away someone I loved while pretending everything was fine.

But I wasn't seven anymore.

I was thirty-two.

And this time, I refused to let anyone tell me the truth was none of my business.

I contacted the investigators through Elizabeth.

Gabriel offered to help coordinate information, but I insisted that every step follow proper legal channels.

I didn't want men with guns frightening innocent people.

I wanted my sister found alive.

By evening, investigators confirmed that Isabella hadn't been taken from the school.

She'd left after receiving a phone call.

Her apartment was undisturbed.

Her car was gone.

And her employer reported that she'd looked frightened before leaving.

Then a message appeared on my phone.

Unknown number.

Do you still have the blue marble?

I stopped breathing.

My fingers trembled as I typed.

Isabella?

A reply arrived.

Don't tell Gabriel where I am.

My stomach tightened.

Why?

Several minutes passed.

Then another message appeared.

Because Silvio says Gabriel wants the trust, not the family.

I stared at the screen.

Someone had been filling Isabella's head with the same lies that once kept Gabriel away from Alessandro.

I typed carefully.

I don't know what Gabriel wants. But I want to see you.

A long pause.

Then she answered.

Prove you're Mara.

My eyes filled.

I thought about our childhood.

The tiny bedroom.

The stuffed rabbit.

The Christmas tree.

Then I remembered something nobody else could know.

You used to pretend the moon followed us home because it didn't want us to be lonely.

The reply came immediately.

Little Star?

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

Only Isabella had called me that.

Yes.

Then the phone rang.

I answered.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Finally, a woman's voice whispered:

"Mara?"

My knees nearly gave way.

"Bella?"

She began crying.

"Oh, my God."

I pressed my hand over my mouth.

"I've been looking for you."

"I know."

"Where are you?"

She hesitated.

"Somewhere safe."

"Can we meet?"

A shaky breath.

"Maybe."

I swallowed.

"Bella, I remember you."

She began sobbing harder.

Then she whispered:

"I thought you hated me."

My heart broke.

"Never."

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then Isabella revealed something unexpected.

"I know where Alessandro is."

I froze.

"Your father?"

"Yes."

"Is he safe?"

"For now."

My heart raced.

"Where?"

She hesitated.

Then whispered:

"He's been living under another name."

I looked toward Gabriel, who stood across the room.

Isabella continued.

"And Mara, there's something you need to know before Gabriel opens the chest."

My stomach tightened.

"What?"

"The chest doesn't contain money."

I swallowed.

"Then what?"

Her voice trembled.

"Evidence that Gabriel's father betrayed the entire Moretti family."

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Then she added:

"And Silvio isn't the person who started it."