Chapter 4 - THE DAUGHTER THE MORETTIS NEVER KNEW EXISTED
I didn't sleep that night.
How could I?
At twenty-seven, I learned that half my identity had been built around a lie.
David Cole had never existed.
The man whose photograph my mother kept was Matteo Moretti.
Luca's uncle.
My father.
Which made Luca my cousin.
And little Leo—
I sat upright.
No.
Absolutely not.
The universe had already done enough.
My phone rang at seven in the morning.
Unknown number.
I ignored it.
Again.
Then a text appeared.
Miss Cole, your mother left something with me.
A second message.
If the Morettis found Matteo's safe, you're in danger.
I called immediately.
An elderly woman's voice answered.
"My name is Rosa Bellini."
My breath caught.
Bellini.
My mother's real surname.
"Who are you?"
"Marianne's older sister."
I stopped breathing.
"My aunt?"
"Yes."
I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Why didn't I know you existed?"
"Because your mother made us promise."
My throat tightened.
"Why?"
"To protect you."
I almost laughed.
That phrase again.
Adults hiding truths and calling it protection.
Rosa continued.
"Your mother believed whoever killed Matteo would come for you if they learned you existed."
"Killed?"
Silence.
I closed my eyes.
"Frank said he disappeared."
"Frank didn't know everything."
"Do you?"
"I know Matteo never left Philadelphia."
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"What happened?"
"Your grandfather found out about the investigation."
"Which grandfather?"
"Your mother's father. Salvatore Bellini."
The rival crime boss.
I felt sick.
Rosa explained that Matteo and Marianne had uncovered a joint corruption network involving men from both families.
Moretti executives.
Bellini captains.
Shipping fraud.
Labor bribery.
Stolen pension funds.
They planned to expose it.
Instead, Matteo disappeared.
Marianne ran.
Pregnant with me.
"Did Salvatore kill him?"
"I don't know."
My anger flared.
"Everybody keeps saying they don't know!"
Rosa's voice cracked.
"Because the people who knew died or lied."
I stood.
"Where are you?"
"New Jersey."
"Can I see you?"
"Yes."
Then her voice lowered.
"But don't bring Luca Moretti."
I froze.
"Why?"
"Because his father knew you existed."
My stomach dropped.
"Luca's father?"
"Gianni Moretti."
Rosa took a shaky breath.
"He paid your mother every month for twenty years."
I stared.
May you like
"For what?"
"Silence."
