Chapter 8 - The Woman Behind the Glass
Roman didn't deny it.
That was what frightened Sophia most.
She stood in the hallway, surrounded by people she had trusted, and looked at the man she had married.
"Where is she?"
Roman's voice was low.
"I'll take you."
"Now."
He nodded.
They left the mansion before sunrise.
Matteo remained behind with Elena and Adrian, while Roman drove Sophia to a private medical facility outside the city.
It was a quiet building hidden behind tall trees.
There were no signs identifying it as a hospital.
At the entrance, Roman gave the guard a name.
"Dr. Mercer."
The guard opened the door immediately.
Sophia followed Roman through a corridor.
At the end stood a secure room with a glass observation window.
A woman sat beside the bed.
She was older, her hair silver, her shoulders thin.
But when she turned toward the window, Sophia recognized her eyes.
Her mother's eyes.
Sophia pressed both hands against the glass.
"Mom?"
The woman stood.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Catherine began crying.
Sophia rushed into the room.
Her mother embraced her.
"I'm sorry."
Sophia couldn't speak.
She held the woman tightly, terrified that if she let go, she would disappear again.
"Why didn't you come for me?"
Catherine pulled back.
"I tried."
"You let me believe you were dead."
"I thought it was the only way to keep you alive."
"Who hurt you?"
Catherine glanced toward Roman.
He looked away.
Sophia noticed.
"Roman?"
Catherine slowly sat down.
"Antonio had me attacked. I survived, but I suffered a serious brain injury. For years, I couldn't remember everything. When I began recovering, Isabella told me you had died."
Sophia covered her mouth.
"She told you I was dead?"
Catherine nodded.
"Roman found me two years ago. He arranged for me to receive treatment here."
Sophia turned toward him.
"You knew my mother was alive for two years?"
"I found her records while investigating Antonio."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I couldn't prove she was your mother at first. Her identity had been changed."
Catherine reached for Sophia's hand.
"He was protecting you."
Sophia looked at her mother.
"From what?"
Catherine's expression became serious.
"From the people who killed Daniel."
She explained that Daniel had not simply discovered the money transfers. He had uncovered a hidden ownership structure that gave Catherine control over the Duca shipping empire.
The company had been established using money inherited from her own family.
Antonio had spent decades trying to take it.
Daniel had gathered enough evidence to expose him.
But there was one missing document.
The original ownership certificate.
Catherine had hidden it before the attack.
"Where is it?" Sophia asked.
Catherine shook her head.
"I don't remember."
Then she looked toward Roman.
"But Daniel told me something before he disappeared."
Roman approached.
"What?"
Catherine's eyes filled with fear.
"He said the person who betrayed him wasn't Antonio."
Sophia felt her stomach tighten.
"Who?"
Catherine looked directly at Roman.
"He said it was the person he trusted most."
Roman frowned.
"Who did he mean?"
Catherine hesitated.
Then she spoke.
"Your brother."
Roman stared.
"Matteo?"
Catherine nodded.
"He was the one who gave Daniel's location to Isabella."
Sophia shook her head.
"No. Matteo helped us."
"Because he knew the evidence could destroy him too."
Roman stepped away from the bed.
"That's impossible."
Catherine reached beneath her pillow and removed a small photograph.
It showed Matteo standing beside Daniel outside the warehouse.
On the back was a date.
The night Daniel disappeared.
And beneath it, in Daniel's handwriting, were four words.
MATTEO KNOWS EVERYTHING.
Roman immediately called his brother.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then Sophia's phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Adrian sleeping in his bed.
May you like
Underneath was a single sentence.
YOUR BROTHER HAS THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.
