Chapter 4 - The Photograph
The next morning, New York woke to rumors.
Adrian Moretti had survived an assassination attempt.
No one knew how.
No one knew who was responsible.
But inside the estate, everyone understood that the rules had changed.
Hannah was given a room on the second floor.
Ellie was moved into the nursery.
It had belonged to Lily.
Hannah objected immediately.
“We can't stay here.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because this isn't safe.”
“It is safer than your apartment.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No, you don't.”
Hannah's voice cracked.
“My daughter is being threatened because she saved you.”
Adrian went silent.
Hannah continued.
“She doesn't belong in this world.”
“Neither did Lily.”
The words escaped him.
Hannah stopped.
Adrian looked away.
“My daughter was four.”
Hannah's anger softened.
“I know.”
“You don't.”
He walked toward the window.
“She loved rabbits.”
Hannah glanced at Rosie.
Adrian continued.
“She hated thunder. She used to hide under the dining table.”
His voice broke slightly.
“She wanted a horse.”
Hannah said nothing.
“I promised her one.”
Adrian's reflection stared back at him.
“I never got the chance.”
Ellie appeared in the doorway.
“Mr. Moretti?”
Adrian turned.
She held Rosie.
“Can I sleep here?”
He looked at the nursery.
“You can.”
“Are you going to sleep here too?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because grown men don't sleep in little girls' rooms.”
Ellie considered that.
“Daddy used to read me stories.”
Adrian froze.
“Your father?”
“He died.”
Adrian looked at Hannah.
She nodded quietly.
“Two years ago.”
“How?”
“Construction accident.”
Adrian's expression darkened.
“Scaffolding.”
Hannah nodded.
“Queens.”
Adrian looked toward his security chief.
“Find the accident report.”
Hannah frowned.
“Why?”
“I want to know.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't believe in coincidences anymore.”
That afternoon, Adrian received the report.
David Carter's death had been ruled accidental.
A failed safety clamp.
One dead worker.
Two injured.
Insurance paid the family.
Case closed.
But Adrian noticed something.
The construction company had been owned by a shell corporation.
The shell corporation had been dissolved six months later.
And its attorney had once represented Marco Moretti.
Adrian stood slowly.
“Get me everything.”
His security chief nodded.
Hannah overheard.
“What are you looking for?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Your husband's death.”
Hannah's face changed.
“Why?”
“Because there may be a connection.”
She shook her head.
“David's death was an accident.”
“Maybe.”
“You can't turn every tragedy into a conspiracy.”
Adrian looked at her.
“That's exactly how I survived this long.”
Hannah stared at him.
Then Ellie screamed.
Both adults ran.
She stood in the nursery holding a photograph.
It had been hidden behind Lily's old dresser.
Hannah took it.
The picture showed Elena holding Lily.
Behind them stood Adrian's brother.
Marco.
But Marco wasn't supposed to be alive.
On the back, someone had written:
HE NEVER LEFT.
Adrian's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
“You finally found the picture.”
Adrian's eyes hardened.
“Marco?”
A soft laugh.
“You always were the clever one.”
Adrian gripped the phone.
“Where are you?”
“Closer than you think.”
“What do you want?”
“I want what Father promised me.”
“The company?”
“No.”
A pause.
“I want the family.”
The line went dead.
Adrian stared at Hannah.
Then Ellie.
His face became terrifyingly calm.
“Everyone stays inside.”
Hannah whispered.
“Who was that?”
May you like
Adrian answered.
“My brother.”
