Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO STOLE A FAMILY
Z
Carmine had not disappeared.
He had become more dangerous.
With Gabriel recovering and investigators reviewing the financial records, Carmine began contacting old associates.
He claimed Gabriel was mentally unfit to lead.
He said the maid had manipulated him.
He insisted the missing child was part of an elaborate fraud.
But the evidence kept growing.
The blue envelope connected Ashcroft Development to payments made after Michael Falcone's death.
Several signatures on the custody documents appeared inconsistent with verified records.
And a former employee came forward with information about Carmine's involvement.
The employee was a woman named Rosa Bellini.
She had worked as a secretary for Ashcroft.
When she met investigators, she brought a small box of documents.
Inside were invoices, correspondence, and photographs.
One photograph showed Carmine standing beside Teresa Vale outside the house with the red roof.
The date was two weeks after Sophia supposedly left the country.
Gabriel received the news quietly.
He sat beside the hospital window while I read the investigator's summary aloud.
When I finished, he closed his eyes.
"My brother trusted him."
I nodded.
"So did you."
Gabriel laughed bitterly.
"That's what makes betrayal effective."
I looked at him.
"Do you want revenge?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Part of me does."
I appreciated the honesty.
"But?"
He looked toward the photograph of Sophia on his bedside table.
"But she's already lost too much."
That evening, Gabriel asked Elena to arrange a meeting with his attorney.
He wanted to cooperate fully with the investigation.
He also wanted to review the structure of his businesses.
Some were legitimate.
Others were not.
He knew the difference.
For years, he'd justified the criminal side of the organization as necessary to protect the family.
Now he had to confront what that belief had cost.
I sat beside him after the attorney left.
"Are you frightened?" I asked.
Gabriel smiled faintly.
"Of prison? Losing money? Enemies?"
"Of changing."
His expression softened.
"Terrified."
I nodded.
"Good."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
"Then you understand it's real."
Gabriel laughed quietly.
Then reached for my hand.
"Matilda."
"Yes?"
"Will you stay?"
I looked at him.
"For tonight?"
He shook his head.
"For whatever comes next."
My heart tightened.
I wanted to say yes immediately.
But I remembered something he'd once told me.
Never let anyone convince you that you're worthless.
So I answered carefully.
"I'll stay because I choose to. Not because I owe you."
May you like
Gabriel smiled.
"That's exactly what I hoped you'd say."
