Chapter 3 - The Cipher in the Velvet Lining
Without saying another word, Dominic scooped Lily into his arms and walked with long, heavy strides toward his private study, with a pale, trembling Elena following closely behind. He placed Lily gently on the soft leather sofa, then walked over to the floor-to-ceiling brass safe behind his oak desk.
He punched in the code, swung the heavy iron door open, and pulled out the polished mahogany music box. But as he lifted the lid, the delicate mechanical gears remained silent.
"The key is missing," Dominic muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Lily leaned forward from the couch, pulling a small brass key strung on a blue ribbon from underneath her velvet collar. "Mommy told me to keep this safe until the shadow man asked about the song."
Dominic’s heart slammed against his ribs. 'The Shadow Man' was the playful secret nickname Sophia used for him during their private moments away from syndicate business. With unsteady hands, he took the tiny key from Lily and inserted it into the base of the music box.
As the melodic, solemn tune began to play, the hidden velvet lining at the bottom of the box popped open, revealing a folded letter written in Sophia’s elegant, unmistakable handwriting, dated just three days before her sudden disappearance.
May you like
The letter read: Dominic, if you are reading this, it means our enemy within the family has executed their plot. They believe I am dead, but Elena has hidden me in the old estate cottage. If I do not survive childbirth, protect our daughter, Lily. Beware of your brother, Julian.
👉 Read PART 4 to see how Dominic confronted his brother Julian over Sophia's final letter!
