Chapter 14 - The Housemaid Who Refused to Run|
I was in Benjamin's bedroom when Marco called.
The little boy's blankets were folded neatly.
His favorite books were stacked beside the lamp.
And his mother's photograph had been returned to the bedside table.
I was holding the pink ribbon Caroline had once tied around his stuffed bear.
I kept thinking about the last time Benjamin looked at me.
How he'd smiled after finishing his dinner.
How he'd asked for apple pie.
How he believed adults when they promised he would be safe.
Then my phone rang.
Marco.
"Claire."
His voice was urgent.
"Where are you?"
"At the mansion."
"Listen carefully. Victor Moretti may be heading your way."
My stomach dropped.
"What?"
"Security is securing the property. Stay inside with the officers and follow their instructions."
I froze.
"Why would he come here?"
Marco hesitated.
"Because he believes you know where the notebook is."
I looked toward Benjamin's stuffed bear.
The secret compartments were empty now.
The documents had been recovered.
But perhaps Victor didn't know that.
"Marco, Benjamin?"
A pause.
Then he answered:
"We located him. Officers are working to bring him home."
Relief rushed through me so suddenly that I nearly collapsed.
"He's alive?"
"Yes."
I covered my mouth.
"Thank God."
Then Marco continued.
"Claire, stay where you are."
The line ended.
I sat on the edge of Benjamin's bed.
For the first time in two days, I allowed myself to cry.
Not because everything was over.
It wasn't.
But Benjamin was alive.
And there was still a chance to bring him home.
Downstairs, the security system began chiming.
An officer called my name.
"Miss Sullivan?"
I stepped into the hallway.
"Yes?"
"We need you to come with us."
My stomach tightened.
"What's happening?"
"Someone is at the front gate requesting entry."
I looked toward the windows.
A black sedan sat beyond the iron gates.
An elderly man stood beside it.
Gray hair.
Dark coat.
A cane in one hand.
Victor Moretti.
The man who had destroyed so many lives.
I felt cold.
Then my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A message appeared.
I KNOW WHERE YOUR FATHER IS.
My heart stopped.
A second message followed.
COME DOWNSTAIRS AND I'LL TELL YOU.
I stared.
For thirteen years, I'd believed my father was dead.
Now I knew he was alive.
And Victor was trying to use him against me.
I took a slow breath.
Then showed the messages to the officer.
He documented them.
I didn't go downstairs.
I didn't open the door.
And I didn't answer Victor.
For once, someone else wasn't going to decide what I did simply because they knew what frightened me.
The officers maintained control of the property while investigators dealt with Victor outside.
Minutes later, I heard vehicles arriving.
Then voices.
Then silence.
A security officer returned.
"Miss Sullivan, Victor Moretti is in custody."
I covered my mouth.
I wanted to believe it.
Wanted to feel safe.
But after everything we'd learned, one arrest couldn't erase decades of damage.
"What about Benjamin?" I asked.
The officer's expression softened.
"He's on his way home."
My knees weakened.
I sat down before I fell.
Across the city, Luca arrived at the private airfield where investigators had located Michael.
His younger brother sat inside an office.
He looked older than Luca remembered.
Gray threaded through his dark hair.
His shoulders were thinner.
But the resemblance was unmistakable.
For seven years, Luca had believed Michael was dead.
Now he stood only a few feet away.
Michael looked up.
"Enzo."
Luca stopped.
For a moment, memories rushed through him.
Two little boys racing bicycles.
Their mother calling them in for dinner.
Michael stealing cookies from the kitchen.
The brother he once loved.
The man who had helped destroy his family.
"Where's Benjamin?" Luca asked.
Michael looked down.
"With the officers."
Relief moved through Luca's chest.
"Is he hurt?"
"No."
Luca closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he asked:
"Why?"
Michael looked up.
"What?"
"Why did you do this?"
His brother laughed bitterly.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Michael looked away.
"Father always chose you."
Luca stared.
"What?"
"The business. The money. The respect."
Michael's voice broke.
"You got everything."
Luca looked at him.
"And you decided to take my son?"
Michael flinched.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this."
"But it did."
Silence.
Then Michael whispered:
"Victor promised me control of the company."
Luca shook his head.
"And you believed him?"
Michael closed his eyes.
"I wanted something that was mine."
Luca stared.
For years, he had believed Michael died because of a dangerous business dispute.
Now he was learning his brother had willingly disappeared, betrayed Caroline, and helped Victor manipulate the family.
All for power.
"Benjamin is nine years old," Luca said quietly.
Michael lowered his head.
"I know."
"He believed people who were supposed to protect him."
Tears filled Michael's eyes.
"I know."
Luca took a slow breath.
"Then you'll tell the investigators everything."
Michael nodded.
"I will."
For the first time, Luca looked at his brother without hatred.
Not because he had forgiven him.
Because he understood that revenge would not repair what Michael had broken.
Truth might.
Accountability might.
Time might.
Then a door opened.
A police officer entered.
Beside him stood Benjamin.
The little boy wore his blue winter coat.
His cheeks were pink from the cold.
He looked frightened.
But unharmed.
Luca stopped breathing.
"Ben?"
Benjamin looked up.
For one suspended second, neither moved.
Then the boy ran.
"Daddy!"
Luca dropped to his knees.
Benjamin threw himself into his arms.
And the feared mafia boss began crying.
Real tears.
Uncontrolled.
Desperate.
He held his son gently.
"I'm here, sweetheart."
Benjamin clung to him.
"I was scared."
"I know."
"I thought you wouldn't find me."
Luca's face crumpled.
"I came for you."
Benjamin looked up.
"Are we going home?"
Luca kissed his forehead.
"Yes."
The little boy nodded.
Then whispered:
"Can Miss Claire be there?"
Luca smiled through tears.
"She's waiting."
Benjamin finally relaxed.
And for the first time in two days, Luca allowed himself to believe the worst might be over.
But before they left, Michael called his name.
"Enzo."
Luca turned.
His brother looked ashamed.
"There's something Caroline needs to know."
Luca frowned.
"What?"
Michael swallowed.
"The original medical records."
Luca went still.
"What about them?"
Michael looked down.
"Caroline's disappearance wasn't only about the money."
Luca stared.
"Then what?"
May you like
Michael's voice broke.
"She found out Victor was planning to have you killed."
