Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD
Vincent refused to believe it.
Neither did Isabelle.
But the evidence began appearing.
A photograph.
A bank account.
A hospital record.
A surveillance image.
All showed the same woman.
Maria Moretti.
Vincent's mother.
Alive.
Living under another name.
She had orchestrated the original embryo project.
She had manipulated both criminal families.
And she had disappeared after Vincent's father's death.
"Why would she do this?" Isabelle asked.
Michael sat across from them.
"Because she believed the Moretti family needed a successor who could unite the city."
Vincent stared at the documents.
"She sacrificed my wife."
Michael's voice lowered.
"Your wife discovered the project."
Vincent looked at him.
"She knew?"
"She was going to expose Mother."
The room became silent.
Vincent's hands trembled.
For five years he had believed his wife's death was caused by the Falcones.
But perhaps the truth was worse.
His own mother had ordered it.
Isabelle watched him.
"You don't have to do this alone."
Vincent looked at her.
Those words hit him harder than any bullet.
He had spent his entire life alone.
Even surrounded by hundreds of people.
He had believed loneliness was strength.
Now Isabelle was offering him something he had never known how to accept.
Trust.
Before he could answer, the doors opened.
Dominic entered.
"Boss."
Vincent looked up.
"What?"
"We found Maria."
Everyone went silent.
"Where?"
"She contacted us."
"When?"
"Ten minutes ago."
Vincent stood.
"Put her through."
A screen illuminated.
An older woman appeared.
Silver hair.
Elegant black dress.
Cold eyes.
Vincent stopped breathing.
"Mother."
Maria smiled.
"My son."
"You let me believe you were dead."
"I needed you to become strong."
"You killed Elena's father."
"I eliminated a threat."
"You killed my wife."
Maria's expression didn't change.
"She betrayed us."
Vincent's hands clenched.
"You used my child."
"I created your future."
Vincent stepped toward the screen.
"I will find you."
Maria smiled.
"I know."
Then she looked at Isabelle.
"Hello, Isabelle."
Isabelle's blood ran cold.
"You know me."
"I've watched you for seven months."
Vincent turned toward her.
"You knew?"
"No."
Maria smiled.
"You have something that belongs to me."
"My baby?"
"Not yet."
Vincent's voice became a growl.
"You will never touch her."
Maria laughed softly.
"Vincent, you still don't understand."
The screen went black.
A message appeared.
COME TO THE OLD MERIDIAN FACTORY ALONE.
Vincent stared at it.
Michael stood.
"She's setting a trap."
"I know."
"Then don't go."
Vincent looked toward Isabelle.
"I have to."
"No."
Isabelle stepped forward.
"You don't."
He stared at her.
She placed one hand over her stomach.
"She wants you angry."
"She wants you alone."
"Exactly."
Isabelle looked at Michael.
"Can your people trace the signal?"
Michael nodded.
"Probably."
"Then we don't play her game."
Vincent looked at Isabelle.
"What do you suggest?"
May you like
She met his eyes.
"We make her believe she's winning."
