Chapter 9 - THE TWO WOMEN WHO SHARED ONE NAME
Someone had been using Rosa Romano's identity to conceal another patient.
Alessia stared at Dante.
"My mother is in Rosewood."
He nodded.
"I know."
"Then who is the woman in Wisconsin?"
"That's what we're going to find out."
The following morning, investigators traveled to the private facility.
The institution operated under several corporate ownership structures, including one linked to Lorenzo Bellini.
Its records were incomplete.
Several patients had been registered under assumed names.
Some had restricted visitor access.
Others had no verified family contacts.
A court-authorized search was arranged after investigators identified discrepancies in the facility's documentation.
Dante and Alessia waited in a nearby conference room.
Every minute felt endless.
Then Rebecca entered.
Her expression was serious.
"We confirmed that Bianca Moretti is alive."
Dante closed his eyes.
Alessia reached for his hand.
Rebecca continued.
"She's physically frail, but she's conscious. She remembers you."
Dante looked up.
"Can I see her?"
"She has asked for you."
Alessia watched his expression change.
For the first time, the feared mafia boss looked like a frightened little boy.
He stood slowly.
Then turned toward Alessia.
"Will you come with me?"
She nodded.
"Of course."
They walked down a quiet hallway.
Room 218.
Rebecca opened the door.
An elderly woman sat beside a window.
Her silver hair was pulled into a loose bun.
A pale cardigan covered her shoulders.
She looked toward the doorway.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then her eyes widened.
"Dante?"
He stopped.
"Mom?"
The woman began crying.
"My boy."
Dante crossed the room.
He dropped to his knees beside her wheelchair.
And Bianca Moretti wrapped her arms around the son she had believed she might never see again.
Alessia turned away.
Some moments deserved privacy.
For several minutes, mother and son held each other.
Then Bianca pulled back.
She touched Dante's face.
"You're so grown."
He laughed through tears.
"You missed a few birthdays."
She smiled sadly.
"I counted every one."
Dante's voice broke.
"I thought you were dead."
Bianca nodded.
"They told me you were safer believing that."
He closed his eyes.
"Who?"
"Lorenzo."
The name filled the room with silence.
Bianca looked toward Alessia.
Her expression changed.
"Rosa's little girl."
Alessia stepped forward.
"You remember me?"
Bianca smiled through tears.
"Of course."
Alessia approached.
Bianca reached for her hand.
"Your mother kept me alive."
Alessia swallowed.
"How?"
"She helped me hide the evidence. When Lorenzo discovered what we knew, he threatened both our families."
Dante leaned forward.
"Why did he take you here?"
"Because I knew what happened to Salvatore."
Dante's jaw tightened.
"Tell me."
Bianca closed her eyes.
"Lorenzo didn't kill your father alone."
Alessia felt cold.
"Who helped him?"
Bianca looked toward the doorway.
Then whispered:
"The man who signed the death certificate."
Dante nodded.
"Dr. Victor Hale."
Bianca shook her head.
"No."
She looked directly at her son.
"Victor was only the doctor."
May you like
Her voice trembled.
"The person who ordered Salvatore's death was someone inside our family."
