Chapter 9 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE FIRE
Lucia agreed to meet Teresa.
But she insisted on one condition.
“No guards.”
Roman hesitated.
Then nodded.
They arranged the reunion in a quiet rented house near the lake.
Teresa arrived carrying the white porcelain horse named Moon.
When Lucia entered, Teresa stood.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Teresa whispered:
“Lucy?”
Lucia stared.
“Mom?”
Teresa began crying.
Lucia crossed the room.
They embraced so tightly that Roman turned away.
Norah stood near the window, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Thirteen years.
A mother and daughter separated by lies.
A child raised to fear the people who loved her.
And a family finally reunited.
But the reunion did not answer the most dangerous question.
Why had Carlo Vescari taken Lucia?
The answer arrived three days later.
Gabriel uncovered a set of financial records connected to the fire.
Vittorio Bellandi had discovered that Carlo was secretly transferring money and shipping contracts to Anthony Caruso.
The night of the fire, Vittorio had arranged to meet Carlo and confront him.
But Lucia had been staying with a family friend in the apartment building.
Carlo knew it.
He also knew that taking Lucia would give him leverage over Vittorio.
The fire had been set to destroy evidence stored in a neighboring apartment.
Carlo had not expected Lucia to be inside.
When Norah rescued her, he seized the opportunity to abduct the child and disappear.
But the plan changed.
Vittorio died several years later.
Carlo kept Lucia hidden, telling her the Bellandis were responsible for her mother's death.
And Anthony Caruso continued benefiting from business arrangements that began with the betrayal.
Roman stared at the records.
“Anthony knew.”
Gabriel nodded.
“He knew Carlo was alive.”
Roman's hands tightened.
“And Vanessa?”
Gabriel hesitated.
“We found communications suggesting she knew Norah had been connected to the fire.”
Roman closed his eyes.
The engagement.
The staffing agency.
Vanessa's jealousy.
The torn uniform.
Suddenly, the pieces began fitting together.
Vanessa hadn't merely been jealous of a maid.
May you like
She had been afraid Norah might remember something.
And the scar had brought the past into the open.
