Chapter 6 - THE SISTER NICO NEVER KNEW HE HAD
Evelyn Cross had raised Nico's missing sister.
For twenty-six years.
While Nico believed his mother abandoned him.
While Lucia remained missing.
While my father was blamed for her disappearance.
Evelyn had kept Isabella hidden.
I stared at the attorney.
“You knew everything.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Not everything.”
“But you knew Isabella was alive.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell Nico?”
“Because Salvatore was still alive.”
My stomach tightened.
Salvatore Moretti had died four years earlier.
A heart attack.
At least, that was the official story.
Evelyn continued.
“He controlled people. Records. Police contacts. Even medical facilities.”
I looked away.
“He would have taken Isabella.”
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked:
“Does Isabella know?”
Evelyn nodded.
“She knows she was adopted. She knows her mother was in danger. But she doesn't know Nico is her brother.”
My heart tightened.
“Where is she?”
“In Boston.”
I stared.
“What does she do?”
Evelyn smiled sadly.
“She's a pediatric nurse.”
Something warm moved through my chest.
Nico's sister had built a life helping children.
So different from the world he'd inherited.
“Can I meet her?”
Evelyn hesitated.
“I'll ask her.”
I nodded.
That mattered.
No more people making decisions about other people's lives.
Not even in the name of protection.
Later that evening, Nico called again.
I almost ignored it.
Then answered.
“Hannah.”
His voice sounded tired.
“I found something.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
“An old letter from my mother.”
I sat upright.
“Where?”
“My father's study.”
“What does it say?”
Nico was silent.
Then his voice broke.
“She didn't leave because she stopped loving me.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“No.”
He swallowed.
“She was afraid.”
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Nico whispered:
“Hannah, I have a sister.”
My heart stopped.
“How did you know?”
He hesitated.
“Arthur found a birth record.”
I closed my eyes.
The same record.
The same secret.
Then he said:
“Her name is Isabella.”
I swallowed.
“Yes.”
Nico went silent.
“You knew?”
“I found out today.”
He exhaled shakily.
“Where is she?”
I hesitated.
“She's safe.”
“Hannah…”
“I'm not telling you where she is until she decides she wants to meet you.”
A long silence.
Then Nico whispered:
“Okay.”
I blinked.
For once, he didn't demand.
Didn't threaten.
Didn't use money to force an answer.
He simply said okay.
Then his voice changed.
“There's something else.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
“I found the original police report about your father.”
I sat upright.
“And?”
Nico swallowed.
“It says Daniel Bennett didn't disappear.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“He was transferred to a private hospital.”
I could barely breathe.
“Where?”
Nico hesitated.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Hannah, your father might still be alive.”
