Chapter 9 - Isabella
The photograph changed everything.
Adrian returned to the mansion with the file.
He didn't sleep.
Hannah sat beside him in the library.
Ellie slept on the couch.
Rosie was tucked beneath her chin.
“Could she really be your daughter?” Hannah asked.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
“I don't know.”
“You were married to Elena.”
“Yes.”
“And the birth certificate says—”
“Birth certificates can be forged.”
“But why would someone forge this?”
Adrian didn't answer.
At dawn, Samuel arrived.
Adrian gave him the documents.
“Find Isabella Moretti.”
Samuel looked stunned.
“Who?”
“Don't ask questions.”
Hours passed.
Then Samuel returned.
His face was pale.
“We found her.”
Adrian stood.
“Where?”
“Connecticut.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
Adrian's hands began shaking.
“Age?”
“Twenty-seven.”
Hannah stared at him.
“Twenty-seven.”
Adrian nodded.
“Where is she?”
“She doesn't know she's a Moretti.”
Adrian looked toward Ellie.
“Bring her.”
“No,” Hannah said.
Everyone turned.
Hannah stood.
“Not here.”
Adrian looked at her.
“This is my family.”
“And Ellie is four.”
“She is already involved.”
“Because you are involved.”
Hannah stepped closer.
“You keep saying you'll protect us, but every secret you uncover creates another danger.”
Adrian said nothing.
“You need to end this.”
“I will.”
“How?”
Adrian looked at the photograph.
“By finding the truth.”
That afternoon, Isabella Moretti arrived.
She stepped into the library.
Twenty-seven.
Dark hair.
Gray-blue eyes.
She looked at Adrian.
“Why am I here?”
Adrian couldn't speak.
Isabella frowned.
“You said this was about my mother.”
“It is.”
“Who was she?”
Adrian swallowed.
“Elena.”
Isabella stared.
“That isn't possible.”
Adrian handed her the birth certificate.
Her hands trembled.
She read it.
Then looked at him.
“You're Adrian.”
“Yes.”
“My brother.”
“Yes.”
Isabella sat down.
“I don't understand.”
“Neither do I.”
She began crying.
Adrian wanted to comfort her.
But he didn't know how.
Then the library doors opened.
Marco stood there.
Security raised their weapons.
Marco held up his hands.
“I came alone.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Why?”
Marco looked at Isabella.
“Because she deserves the truth.”
Isabella stared.
“Who are you?”
Marco answered:
“Your uncle.”
She froze.
Marco looked at Adrian.
“Tell her.”
Adrian said nothing.
Marco continued.
“Elena didn't give you up.”
“What happened?”
“Your father took you.”
Isabella covered her mouth.
“Why?”
“Because he believed Elena loved you more than the family.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Marco looked at him.
“He was afraid you'd inherit everything.”
Adrian whispered.
“My father stole my sister.”
Marco nodded.
“And then he convinced everyone she was never born.”
Isabella looked at Adrian.
“Why didn't you know?”
Adrian had no answer.
Then a gunshot came from upstairs.
Everyone turned.
Hannah screamed.
“Ellie!”
Adrian ran.
He reached the nursery.
The window was open.
Ellie was gone again.
But this time, a note lay on the pillow.
Adrian opened it.
Three words.
SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING.
Below it was a photograph of Hannah.
And another of Isabella.
Someone had been watching both women.
May you like
Someone who knew the entire truth.
Someone inside Adrian's house.
