Chapter 9 - THE BROTHER WHO SOLD HIS SILENCE
The investigation soon reached Gabriel's older half-brother, Marco Moretti.
Marco had spent years managing the family's legitimate businesses.
He rarely attended family gatherings.
And he had always claimed to dislike Vincent.
But financial records revealed payments from a company controlled by Vincent to a trust associated with Marco.
Gabriel stared at the documents.
“How much?”
Luca hesitated.
“Two million dollars.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Marco had known.
Perhaps not every detail.
But enough.
When confronted through attorneys, Marco admitted he'd suspected Vincent was arranging something against Gabriel.
He claimed he hadn't known about the second surgery.
But he'd accepted money to stay silent.
Gabriel listened to the recorded statement.
Then turned off the screen.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
Finally, he whispered:
“My own brother.”
I sat beside him.
He looked at me.
“Everyone I trusted.”
His voice broke.
“Everyone.”
I reached for his hand.
“Not everyone.”
He stared at me.
May you like
Then looked down at our joined fingers.
For the first time, he didn't pull away.
