Chapter 10 - THE SECRET IN THE MUSIC BOX
Matteo kept a small wooden music box beside his bed.
It had belonged to Sofia.
The box played a soft melody when opened.
Inside was a photograph of Sofia holding Matteo as a baby.
Hannah had noticed it during her first week.
But she had never touched it without Matteo's permission.
One evening, Matteo brought it to her.
“Miss Hannah?”
“Yes?”
“Mommy said this was for Daddy.”
Hannah looked up.
“What?”
He held out the box.
“She said if she went away, I should give it to him.”
Hannah felt cold.
“When did she tell you that?”
Matteo thought.
“Before the rain night.”
Hannah's heart began pounding.
She took the box to Lucas.
He stared at it.
“I haven't seen this in years.”
Hannah explained what Matteo said.
Lucas opened the lid.
The melody began.
He looked inside.
Then noticed something unusual.
The velvet lining had been lifted near one corner.
Beneath it was a tiny memory card.
Lucas stared.
Investigators later recovered files from the card.
Financial records.
Messages.
And an audio recording.
Sofia's voice filled the room.
Lucas, if you're hearing this, I wasn't brave enough to tell you everything while I was alive.
Lucas closed his eyes.
Sofia continued.
Richard Bellamy has been using our companies to conceal illegal payments. Your father knew about some of it. I found records connected to Michael Cooper's death.
Hannah began crying.
Sofia's voice trembled.
I tried to tell Isabella. She begged me to stay quiet. But I can't let Matteo grow up believing silence is the same thing as safety.
The recording ended.
Lucas sat motionless.
Hannah wiped her eyes.
Detective Shaw looked at them.
“This is significant evidence.”
Lucas stared at the music box.
Then whispered:
“Sofia knew.”
Hannah nodded.
“And she tried to tell you.”
May you like
Lucas closed his eyes.
For the first time since his wife's death, he allowed himself to cry.
