Chapter 4 - THE BROTHER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Adrien had only one brother.
Matteo Belandi.
Forty-two years old.
Elegant, charming, and trusted with the family's legitimate businesses.
While Adrien managed the family's dangerous world, Matteo handled investments, charities, and public appearances.
Everyone called him the respectable Belandi.
Now Evelyn was staring at a message accusing him of something terrible.
Adrien noticed her expression.
“What is it?”
She hesitated.
The message demanded secrecy.
But three terrified children were watching her, and withholding information could put them in greater danger.
She handed him the phone.
Adrien read the message.
Then read it again.
His jaw tightened.
“Matteo?”
Evelyn nodded.
“That's what it says. I don't know whether it's true.”
Adrien called his brother.
No answer.
He called again.
Still nothing.
The third call went straight to voicemail.
Adrien turned toward Victor.
“Where is Matteo?”
Victor remained silent.
The security chief escorted the manager into a nearby office while another guard called the police.
Evelyn looked at the triplets.
They were sitting close together, holding hands.
Lily watched her intently.
“You seem frightened,” Evelyn said softly. “Would you like some water?”
Lily shook her head.
Instead, she pointed to Evelyn's apron.
“Pocket.”
Evelyn touched the electricity bill folded inside.
“This?”
Lily shook her head again.
Then Evelyn remembered something.
Earlier that evening, Oliver had handed her a small paper flower while she served bread.
She'd slipped it into her apron pocket.
Now she unfolded it.
Inside was a tiny brass key.
Adrien leaned closer.
“Where did that come from?”
Oliver whispered:
“Mommy.”
Evelyn studied the key.
Three letters were engraved along its side.
A.B.C.
Adrien went completely still.
“My wife had a music box with those initials.”
“What do they mean?”
“Adrien, Benjamin, Celeste. Benjamin was her father.”
Evelyn looked down at the key.
“Where is the music box?”
Adrien swallowed.
“Matteo took it after she disappeared. Said it belonged in storage.”
At that moment, the restaurant's front doors opened.
A man in a charcoal suit entered.
Matteo Belandi.
He smiled as though nothing was wrong.
“Brother. I heard there was trouble.”
Then his gaze landed on Evelyn's hand.
On the brass key.
His smile vanished.
May you like
And he whispered:
“Where did you get that? Celeste was supposed to have destroyed it.”
