Chapter 5 - THE SECRET BETWEEN THEIR FATHERS
Vittorio Valenti loved Margaret Ward.
Before Daniel.
Before Elena.
Margaret chose Daniel.
Vittorio never forgave himself for making her life dangerous simply by remaining near it.
Years later, when Daniel discovered the Hale ledger, Vittorio helped him hide evidence.
Margaret became involved because she understood Victor Hale's legitimate businesses.
Then Daniel died.
Margaret suspected murder.
She intended to expose Hale.
Six months later, she died too.
Cancer, Elena remembered.
Except Roman produced hospital records.
Margaret did have cancer.
But she had been improving.
Then someone interfered with her medical insurance and access to treatment.
A Hale-controlled administrator.
Not murder in the cinematic sense.
Something colder.
Bureaucratic cruelty weaponized deliberately.
Elena cried until she had nothing left.
Roman remained across the room.
Finally she asked:
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't know enough.”
“You knew my parents were connected.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Hale might eventually come for me.”
“Yes.”
“And you waited until tonight?”
“I promised Daniel I would not enter your life unless the past found you first.”
Elena looked at him.
“And my accidental text counted?”
Roman's expression softened.
“No.”
“What did?”
“The moment I saw Vanessa Hale following Mason through my hotel.”
“Your hotel?”
Roman looked almost embarrassed.
“I own part of the Bellavere.”
Of course he did.
Elena laughed through tears.
“Anything else?”
“Several things.”
“Fantastic.”
Then alarms sounded.
Roman's security system.
May you like
Someone had reached the building.
Victor Hale had stopped hiding.
