Chapter 5 - THE FAMILY SECRET BURIED IN BLOOD
Gabriel did not speak for a long time.
The accusation seemed impossible.
And yet, when he remembered his father's expression at Ilvento, it no longer felt unbelievable.
They took the letter to an independent translator and a document examiner.
The paper appeared old.
The handwriting was consistent with Antonino's surviving letters.
But the claims remained unproven.
Gabriel refused to act on suspicion alone.
Instead, he began investigating his family's past.
He discovered that Antonino and Salvatore had once been partners in Sicily.
They had operated a small shipping company.
Their relationship collapsed after a violent dispute involving a woman named Elena Rossi.
Elena had been Antonino's wife.
Lucia's mother.
Official records listed Elena's death as an unsolved homicide.
Lucia disappeared shortly afterward.
Gabriel stared at the documents.
His father had never mentioned Elena.
Never mentioned Lucia.
Never admitted Antonino had survived.
That evening, Gabriel visited Salvatore in the hospital.
The old man lay beneath white sheets, his face pale.
Gabriel sat beside him.
“Who was Elena?”
Salvatore closed his eyes.
“Your aunt.”
“How did she die?”
Silence.
Gabriel leaned forward.
“Father.”
Salvatore's jaw tightened.
“I didn't kill her.”
Gabriel stared.
“Did you order her killed?”
The old man's eyes opened.
For the first time, Gabriel saw fear.
“No.”
“Then why did Antonino believe you did?”
Salvatore looked toward the window.
“Because I let him.”
Gabriel felt cold.
“Why?”
May you like
The old man whispered:
“Because the truth was worse.”
