Chapter 10 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE COLLISION
The investigation into Sofia's accident produced new evidence.
Traffic camera footage from a nearby intersection had been recovered from an archived system.
The images showed a vehicle matching the one described in the original report.
Investigators traced the vehicle through registration and repair records.
The trail led to a company associated with Northline Risk Solutions.
Further inquiries identified a driver who had been working for the company at the time.
The driver was questioned.
He denied intentionally causing the collision.
But records showed he had been instructed to follow Sofia's car.
The purpose of that surveillance remained under investigation.
When Luca learned the news, he went silent.
Margaret explained that the evidence supported further investigation but did not yet establish whether the collision had been deliberate.
Luca nodded.
“I understand.”
But his hands were shaking.
That evening, he sat beside Sofia's bed.
She was asleep.
He brushed hair away from her forehead.
I stood in the doorway.
He looked up.
“Emily.”
I approached.
He whispered:
“I almost lost her.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
He looked down.
“And someone may have been following her.”
His voice broke.
“I should've protected her.”
I sat beside him.
“Luca.”
He looked at me.
“You couldn't know everything.”
He shook his head.
“I should've.”
I took his hand.
“You can protect her now.”
He stared.
I continued.
“By listening.”
“By asking questions.”
“By making sure she knows she's loved.”
His eyes filled.
He squeezed my hand.
“Stay?”
I nodded.
May you like
“I'm here.”
And for the first time, he let himself cry.
