Chapter 7 - THE SINS OF MY FATHER
My father, Antonio Duca, had been dead for seven years.
He ruled our family with absolute authority.
He believed loyalty was everything.
And he demanded it from everyone.
I had spent my adult life trying to become a better man than he was.
Now I discovered his secrets were still destroying us.
The financial records showed that Antonio had secretly funded Cassandra Vale for years.
The payments continued after his death.
Someone had maintained them.
Someone with access to family accounts.
I confronted my mother.
She sat in her sitting room, staring at the fireplace.
“Did Father know Cassandra Vale?”
Isabella's face changed.
“Yes.”
I swallowed.
“How well?”
She closed her eyes.
“Too well.”
The room went silent.
My father had been involved with Cassandra years before I met Vivien.
Cassandra was ambitious.
Beautiful.
And connected to powerful financial circles.
Antonio helped her build a private investment business.
Then their relationship ended badly.
Cassandra married Edward Vale.
But she continued receiving money from Antonio.
“Why?” I asked.
My mother looked down.
“Because she knew things about him.”
“What things?”
“Financial arrangements. Illegal shipments. People he paid to keep quiet.”
I stared.
“Blackmail?”
She nodded.
My hands tightened.
“And Gabriel?”
My mother began crying.
“He discovered the payments.”
I swallowed.
“And Father?”
“He was already dead.”
I looked away.
“So Gabriel started investigating.”
“Yes.”
“And then he died.”
Isabella covered her face.
I stood beside the window.
For years, I'd believed the Bellinis were responsible for Gabriel's death.
Now I wasn't sure.
The truth seemed to lead back to my own family.
To my father's secrets.
To Cassandra.
To Vivien.
And to the little girl sleeping upstairs.
That night, I visited Elena.
She sat beside Mia's bed, reading a story.
When she saw me, she closed the book.
“Mr. Duca.”
I shook my head.
“Lorenzo.”
She hesitated.
“Sir—”
“Please.”
She looked down.
I sat in the chair opposite her.
“I need to ask you something.”
She nodded.
“Did Gabriel ever mention Cassandra Vale?”
Elena's expression changed.
“Yes.”
My heart pounded.
“What did he say?”
She swallowed.
“He said she was dangerous.”
I leaned forward.
“Why?”
Elena looked toward Mia.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Because she knew who really started the warehouse fire.”
