Chapter 4 - THE LIE THAT SAVED MY LIFE
I had spent six years believing I invented Sarah Reed.
It was the name I chose after leaving Boston.
The name on my apartment lease.
The name I used at work.
The name that allowed me to live without strangers connecting me to the Bellini family.
Now I was staring at a document suggesting someone had selected that identity when I was eight.
“How is this possible?”
Rebecca studied the list.
“The document may be connected to an earlier protective arrangement.”
I looked at Vincent.
“Protective?”
He nodded slowly.
“Your family was threatened after Alessandro's investigation.”
“That doesn't explain why my mother signed it.”
“No.”
I stared at the authorization.
Isabella Bellini.
The signature appeared authentic.
But signatures could be forged.
I'd learned that much already.
Rebecca arranged for handwriting verification and obtained the relevant court records.
For two days, I barely slept.
I kept remembering Grandma's warning whenever I asked about our family.
Some names attract storms, Sarah.
At the time, I thought she meant powerful relatives.
Now I wondered whether she meant people who wanted me dead.
On the third day, Rebecca returned with news.
The records showed that Julia had petitioned for emergency guardianship after Alessandro's murder.
The court proceedings were sealed.
The documents suggested that Isabella's legal whereabouts were unknown.
But there was no reliable evidence confirming her death.
I sat very still.
“So she could be alive.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Yes.”
Vincent watched me.
For the first time, I didn't mind him seeing me cry.
“I hated her,” I whispered.
He frowned.
“Your mother?”
“Sometimes.”
I wiped my cheeks.
“Grandma told me she died, but when I got older, I wondered whether she simply didn't want me.”
Vincent's expression softened.
“Sarah—”
“I used to imagine meeting her. I planned what I'd say.”
“What would you say?”
I swallowed.
“Why wasn't I enough?”
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “If Isabella was trying to protect you, her absence may have had nothing to do with how much she loved you.”
I looked away.
I wanted to believe him.
That evening, Daniel called from an unfamiliar number.
I answered while Rebecca remained beside me.
“Sarah.”
His voice made my stomach turn.
“What do you want?”
“To explain.”
“You were hired to find me.”
A pause.
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes.
“How much?”
“Fifty thousand dollars.”
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Two years together.
Birthdays.
Anniversaries.
Promises.
All worth less than a luxury car.
“Who paid you?”
Daniel hesitated.
Then whispered, “Lorenzo Morelli's office.”
I clenched my jaw.
“Why?”
“He wanted the cookbook.”
My blood ran cold.
“How did he know about it?”
“Julia called him before she died.”
I stopped breathing.
Grandma?
Daniel continued.
“She told him she had proof.”
I looked toward Rebecca.
Then Daniel said something that made her expression change.
“Sarah, your grandmother wasn't only protecting you.”
I swallowed.
“What was she doing?”
His voice trembled.
“She was blackmailing Lorenzo Morelli.”
May you like
And before I could respond, he added:
“She demanded ten million dollars for your mother's location.”
