Chapter 9 - The Sister Nobody Told Me About
Isabella Bennett looked nothing like me.
She had dark hair, gray eyes, and a small scar beside her mouth.
But when she smiled, I recognized something.
My father's smile.
The same slight tilt at the corner of his lips.
I stood in Maria Russo's living room, staring at the woman who claimed to be my sister.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Thirty-two."
I was twenty-five.
Seven years apart.
"Who is your mother?"
Isabella lowered her eyes.
"Her name was Elena."
I stared.
"Dad was married before Mom?"
She nodded.
"Briefly. They separated when I was little."
My heart tightened.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
Isabella looked toward Antonio.
"Because Vincent Moretti threatened everyone connected to Daniel."
Antonio stood near the fireplace.
He hadn't spoken since we entered.
But I noticed he was watching Isabella carefully.
"Where is Dad?" I asked.
She hesitated.
"He's safe."
"That's not an answer."
"I know."
"Then tell me where he is."
Isabella looked pained.
"Sophie, he's been trying to reach you for years."
Tears filled my eyes.
"Then why did you send that message?"
She glanced toward Antonio.
My stomach dropped.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Isabella reached into her bag.
She produced a photograph.
It showed Antonio standing outside a warehouse with Luca Bellini.
The photograph was dated two months earlier.
I looked at Antonio.
"What is this?"
He frowned.
"A business meeting."
Isabella shook her head.
"That warehouse belongs to Vincent Moretti."
Silence settled over the room.
Antonio stared at the picture.
Then he looked toward the address printed beneath it.
His expression changed.
"I didn't know Vincent controlled that property."
Isabella's voice hardened.
"Convenient."
I stepped between them.
"Stop."
Both looked at me.
I was tired of powerful people speaking around me.
Tired of being protected through silence.
Tired of discovering my own life in fragments.
"I want facts," I said. "Not accusations."
Antonio nodded.
"You're right."
Isabella looked surprised.
Then she took a deep breath.
"Dad asked me to give you something."
She handed me a small envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
My Sophie,
If Isabella reaches you, please know I have never stopped trying to come home.
Tears blurred the words.
But there is one person you must be careful around.
I swallowed.
The final sentence read:
Antonio Russo is not your enemy, but someone is trying to make him believe you are.
I stared at the note.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A familiar voice whispered:
"Sophie?"
My knees nearly gave way.
"Dad?"
He began crying.
"My little girl."
I covered my mouth.
"Where are you?"
His voice trembled.
"I'm coming home."
May you like
Then he whispered something that changed everything.
"But Sophie, Vincent isn't the only person who wants you dead."
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