Chapter 7 - THE LETTER UNDER THE FLOORBOARD
Adrien stared at Daniel.
“You killed my father?”
Daniel struggled to sit up.
“No.”
My mother's voice came from outside.
“He did.”
Adrien's expression hardened.
“Then come inside and say it.”
Silence.
No answer.
Adrien looked at Daniel.
“Tell me.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Your father was already dying when I found him.”
“From what?”
“He had been poisoned.”
Adrien went still.
“By whom?”
Daniel looked at me.
“Your mother.”
I felt sick.
Adrien closed his eyes.
“She poisoned him.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he was going to expose her.”
Marcus spoke quietly.
“There was another reason.”
Adrien looked at him.
Marcus pulled a folded letter from his coat.
“I found this in Lena's apartment.”
I stared.
“Why didn't you give it to me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
Adrien took it.
The handwriting was my mother's.
Daniel, if you return, Lena will die.
He opened the next page.
Stefano knows where the records are. Adrien must never learn what his father did.
Adrien looked confused.
“What did my father do?”
Daniel answered.
“He betrayed Stefano.”
“Why?”
“To save Lena.”
I couldn't understand.
“My father was protecting me?”
“Yes.”
Daniel looked at Adrien.
“Your father learned that Stefano planned to use you.”
Adrien froze.
“Use me for what?”
“To inherit the Viscari organization.”
Daniel continued.
“He wanted Adrien to become the public face while Stefano controlled everything.”
Adrien's hands tightened.
“My father stopped him.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother helped Stefano.”
Daniel nodded.
The truth was beginning to take shape.
Not one villain.
Not one betrayal.
A family divided by fear.
My mother had made terrible choices believing she was saving me.
Stefano had manipulated everyone.
My father had disappeared because he believed distance would keep me alive.
And Adrien had grown up believing his father abandoned him.
Then I noticed something beneath the floorboard.
A small metal edge.
“Adrien.”
He crouched.
Together we lifted the board.
A narrow envelope was hidden underneath.
Inside was a letter from Adrien's father.
Adrien read it silently.
Then his face broke.
“What?”
He handed it to me.
The first line said:
My son, if you ever find this, forgive me for making you hate me.
Adrien turned away.
His shoulders shook once.
Daniel spoke softly.
“Your father never wanted you to inherit his life.”
Adrien whispered, “He wanted me to leave.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't he tell me?”
“Because Stefano had people everywhere.”
I looked at the letter.
The final paragraph contained a name.
Alessandra.
I looked toward the door.
“Your aunt.”
Daniel nodded.
“She was the one who took Lena from the fire.”
Adrien looked at him.
“She saved her.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did she disappear?”
“Because she was blamed for the fire.”
Adrien's eyes hardened.
“By my mother.”
Daniel nodded.
Everything connected.
The photographs.
The green coat.
The hospital bracelet.
The watch.
The fire.
Then we heard footsteps.
Alessandra entered.
She looked at Daniel.
“You finally told them.”
Daniel nodded.
Alessandra looked at me.
“I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“For leaving you.”
“You didn't.”
“I did.”
She sat down.
“I promised your father I would keep you alive.”
“You did.”
“I also promised your mother I would never tell you the truth.”
“Why?”
“Because she believed Stefano would find you if you knew.”
Adrien stared.
“Where is Stefano now?”
Alessandra looked toward the window.
“He never left New York.”
Adrien froze.
“Where?”
She handed him an old subway ticket.
One station was circled.
Roosevelt Island.
“That's where he kept the original ledger.”
Adrien looked at the letter.
“Why would he keep evidence against himself?”
Alessandra's expression was sad.
“Because he never believed anyone would be brave enough to use it.”
A noise came from outside.
Cars.
Several.
Adrien moved toward the window.
“They found us.”
Alessandra stood.
“Then it's time.”
She looked at me.
“Lena, there is one thing you still don't know.”
“What?”
She reached into her coat.
A photograph fell into my hands.
It showed me as a child.
Adrien's father stood beside me.
And behind us was my mother.
She was holding a baby.
I stared.
“Who is that?”
Alessandra whispered.
“Your sister.”
I looked at her.
“I don't have a sister.”
Alessandra's eyes filled with tears.
“You did.”
May you like
She pointed toward the photograph.
“And she is the reason your mother started the fire.”
