Chapter 12 - THE CONFESSION THAT COST HIM HIS EMPIRE
Matteo Moretti had spent eleven years protecting his family's reputation.
Now he was admitting he'd destroyed evidence connected to his sister's disappearance.
I stared at the phone.
"You destroyed it?"
His voice was rough.
"Yes."
My stomach turned.
"Why?"
"Because my grandfather ordered me to."
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
The truth I'd feared.
Matteo had been part of the silence.
Not necessarily the conspiracy.
But the silence that allowed it to continue.
"What did the footage show?"
He swallowed.
"I never watched the entire recording."
"Then why destroy it?"
"Because I was twenty-six and stupid enough to believe obedience meant loyalty."
I said nothing.
Matteo continued.
"My grandfather told me Lucia had run away and the footage contained private family matters."
My chest tightened.
"And you believed him."
"Yes."
He paused.
"And I've hated myself for it ever since."
I sat down.
For the first time, I understood something about Matteo.
He wasn't simply afraid of losing his empire.
He was afraid the truth would prove he'd helped destroy his own family.
"Then tell the investigators," I said.
He didn't hesitate.
"I will."
Over the following days, Matteo provided a formal statement.
He disclosed his role in destroying the footage.
Released relevant financial records.
And cooperated with the investigation into his grandfather's businesses.
The consequences were immediate.
Several associates abandoned him.
Investors withdrew.
Criminal investigations expanded into the Moretti organization.
Matteo faced legal scrutiny concerning his past conduct.
But he didn't withdraw his statement.
For the first time, he chose truth over reputation.
Meanwhile, authorities traced the threatening photographs.
The images contained background details suggesting Lucia and Isabella were being held at a private property outside New York.
A former estate employee recognized the room.
It belonged to a retreat once owned by Domenico Moretti.
Investigators obtained the appropriate legal authorization and searched the property.
The operation lasted several hours.
I waited beside Carlo in an attorney's office.
Neither of us spoke much.
Then Carlo's phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
"Lucia?"
My heart stopped.
He nodded.
Tears filled his eyes.
"She's alive."
I covered my mouth.
"And Isabella?"
Carlo began crying.
"Alive."
Relief crashed through me.
For the first time in weeks, I could breathe.
Both mother and daughter were receiving medical attention.
Domenico was arrested.
Victor Salerno was detained.
And several documents were recovered from the property.
But the investigation wasn't over.
The recovered records included correspondence between Domenico and Dr. Vescari.
Financial transfers.
Private communications.
And records concerning my mother's treatment.
The evidence was finally strong enough to support serious charges.
Matteo called that evening.
His voice was quiet.
"Lucia's safe."
I smiled through tears.
"I know."
He hesitated.
"Tessa..."
"What?"
"Thank you."
I looked down.
"For what?"
"For refusing to let me hide behind excuses."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then I said:
"Your sister saved herself long before either of us knew what happened."
Matteo nodded.
"You're right."
I smiled faintly.
"Get used to hearing that."
He laughed softly.
Then grew serious.
"There's something else."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Investigators found a sealed letter inside Domenico's private files."
I closed my eyes.
"From whom?"
"Your mother."
My heart stopped.
Matteo continued.
"It was addressed to you."
I couldn't breathe.
May you like
Then he whispered:
"She wrote it after learning you had been accepted to Florence—and it explains why she chose that university for you."
