Chapter 12 - What Our Fathers Buried
Isabella didn't want money.
She wanted me to hear the truth.
Years earlier, my father and Elena's father had been partners.
But when Elena's father discovered the hidden financial network, he threatened to expose it.
My father tried to stop him.
Isabella claimed my father ordered his death.
But the evidence told a different story.
Lorenzo had acted independently.
He had started the fire.
He had framed my father.
And Isabella had spent years believing the wrong story.
I looked at her.
“You destroyed innocent people because you believed a lie.”
She shook her head.
“I believed what everyone told me.”
“You never checked.”
“I was twenty.”
“You had fifteen years to check.”
Her expression cracked.
Then she looked at Mia.
“I never wanted to hurt her.”
“Then let her go.”
She hesitated.
Mia reached toward me.
“Daddy.”
Isabella finally loosened her grip.
I moved slowly.
No sudden movements.
No threat.
Just one step.
Then another.
Mia ran into my arms.
I held her so tightly she squeaked.
Her rabbit was pressed between us.
I felt the USB still hidden inside the torn seam.
Isabella stared.
“You still have it.”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
She smiled sadly.
“Then you finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
“The person who betrayed your father wasn't Elena's family.”
She pointed toward the doorway.
“It's the man who has been beside you all these years.”
I turned.
Vittorio stood there.
His face was devastated.
He wasn't holding a weapon.
He looked at me.
“Boss…”
I felt Mia hide her face against my chest.
I didn't move.
Isabella continued.
“He was the one who opened the gates.”
Vittorio shook his head.
“No.”
Then he looked at me.
“I did open them.”
My heart sank.
“But I didn't know they were coming for Mia.”
Silence filled the room.
Vittorio lowered his head.
“I failed you.”
For the first time, I understood.
The betrayal wasn't simple.
Vittorio had made choices.
Fear had made some of them.
Loyalty had made others.
But the consequences belonged to him.
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And now he had one final choice to make.
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