Chapter 5 - THE MONEY MY MOTHER NEVER SPENT
My mother had received money from the Moretti family for twenty years.
I knew that before lunch.
What I didn't know was that she never spent a dollar.
Rosa Bellini showed me the bank statements at her small house in Cherry Hill.
Every transfer went into one account.
Every deposit remained there.
No withdrawals.
No rent payments.
No vacations.
No expensive clothes.
Nothing.
The balance had grown into millions.
I stared.
"She lived in a one-bedroom apartment."
Rosa nodded.
"She refused to touch the money."
"Then why accept it?"
"Because refusing would've told Gianni she wasn't afraid."
I looked up.
"She was afraid."
"Terrified."
Rosa's eyes filled.
"But mostly for you."
I thought of Mom working overtime.
Coupons on the kitchen table.
Secondhand furniture.
Her excitement when I got my first scholarship.
All while millions sat untouched.
Not blood money.
Evidence.
Rosa opened another box.
Inside were letters from Gianni Moretti.
The first demanded Marianne leave Philadelphia.
The next offered money.
Later letters became less threatening.
Almost apologetic.
One sentence appeared again and again.
I couldn't save Matteo, but I can keep Avery alive.
My heart pounded.
"Gianni knew Matteo was my father."
"Yes."
"Did Luca know?"
"No."
"Frank?"
"Not at first."
I looked toward the window.
"Then who killed Matteo?"
Rosa hesitated.
"Your mother believed Victor Moretti ordered it."
I frowned.
"Who's Victor?"
"Gianni's younger brother."
Luca's uncle.
Rosa's face hardened.
"Victor hated Matteo because he wanted control of the family businesses."
My stomach twisted.
"Is he alive?"
"Very."
I remembered the older man sitting beside Luca at Table Twelve.
Not Frank.
Another man who'd barely spoken.
Silver hair.
Expensive watch.
Cold eyes.
He'd been the first person to look afraid when Leo reached for me.
My blood went cold.
"Was Victor at the restaurant last night?"
Rosa looked confused.
"I don't know."
I pulled up Aurelia's reservation photograph from social media.
There he was.
Standing behind Luca.
Rosa went pale.
"That's him."
I felt suddenly sick.
Victor had seen me.
Seen the necklace.
Seen Leo reach for me.
And understood before I did.
My phone buzzed.
Luca.
I hesitated.
Then answered.
"Avery, where are you?"
"Why?"
"Because someone broke into your apartment."
I stood.
"What?"
"Your neighbor called the police. My security team heard through Frank."
My heart pounded.
"Was anything taken?"
A pause.
"The place was searched."
"For what?"
Luca's voice lowered.
"The letters from Matteo's safe."
I looked at Rosa.
Then whispered, "Luca, I know who was afraid of me at dinner."
Silence.
"Who?"
"Victor."
Another pause.
Then Luca said something that changed everything.
"Avery, Victor isn't just my uncle."
May you like
My stomach tightened.
"He was the man responsible for my son's mother the night she died."
