Chapter 9 - THE FAMILY THAT WAS NEVER DEAD
Elena stared at the man.
“Your daughter?”
He smiled.
“Yes.”
Rosa moved in front of Elena.
“Stay away from her.”
The man laughed.
“Twenty years, Rosa.”
His name was Adrian Russo.
Elena's uncle.
The man whose grave she had visited as a child.
Except there had never been a body.
Only a funeral.
A story.
A lie.
“You were alive.”
Adrian nodded.
“I was hiding.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.”
He looked at Vincent.
“Especially the Morettis.”
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
“You were involved.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I was the one who built the accounts.”
Elena's blood ran cold.
“Then you're responsible for the money.”
“I was responsible for hiding it.”
“Why?”
“Because your grandfather wanted to steal everything.”
Adrian looked at Rosa.
“Your mother discovered the scheme.”
Rosa whispered:
“And you helped me.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you disappear?”
Adrian's expression changed.
“Because I learned the truth about your father.”
Salvatore stepped forward.
“You knew.”
“I knew he wasn't the mastermind.”
Vincent froze.
“Who was?”
Adrian looked at Evelyn.
Everyone turned.
Evelyn didn't deny it.
Adrian continued.
“Your mother ordered the entire operation.”
Vincent's face went white.
“My grandmother?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“I wanted to protect the family.”
“You destroyed it.”
“I believed I could control it.”
“And when Rosa found out?”
“I panicked.”
Elena stared at the woman who had spent decades manipulating everyone.
“You tried to steal my inheritance.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Because if you received the money, you'd receive the evidence.”
Elena looked at the ledger.
“And the evidence would expose you.”
“Yes.”
The federal agent stepped forward.
“We have enough.”
Evelyn smiled.
“No.”
She reached into her coat.
Vincent moved instantly.
But she wasn't holding a weapon.
She held another photograph.
She handed it to Elena.
It showed a young Rosa holding a newborn baby.
Beside her stood a man Elena didn't recognize.
On the back was one sentence:
THE REAL HEIR WAS NEVER ELENA.
Elena's heart stopped.
“What does this mean?”
Adrian looked away.
Rosa began to cry.
Vincent whispered:
“Mom?”
Rosa couldn't answer.
Elena turned to her.
“Tell me.”
Rosa finally spoke.
“There was another child.”
Elena's face went numb.
“My brother?”
Rosa shook her head.
“Your sister.”
Then the restaurant doors opened again.
May you like
A young woman entered.
She looked exactly like Elena.
