Chapter 1
“KEEP YOUR OTHER HAND BEHIND YOU! NOBODY WANTS TO SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO YOURSELF!” THE MAFIA BOSS'S FIANCÉE FORCED HIS 25-YEAR-OLD MAID TO SERVE FORTY DINNER GUESTS WITH ONLY ONE HAND—BUT WHEN LUCA MORETTI BENT DOWN TO PICK UP A FALLEN SPOON AND SAW BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HER LEFT SLEEVE, HE ORDERED HER TO SHOW HIM HER ARM. WHAT HE FOUND BENEATH THE FABRIC MADE HIM LOCK EVERY DOOR IN THE MANSION.
“Use your right hand, Hannah.”
Vanessa Sterling stood beside the long dining table in a fitted burgundy evening gown, watching me struggle with a heavy silver serving tray.
Forty guests were having dinner at the Moretti mansion outside Chicago.
Crystal chandeliers glittered above the marble floors.
White roses filled the centerpieces.
Champagne glasses caught the warm golden light.
And I was trying to carry twelve porcelain dinner plates with one hand.
My left arm was hidden behind my back.
Not because I wanted it there.
Because Vanessa had ordered me to keep it there.
“Faster, Hannah,” she said.
I swallowed.
“Yes, ma'am.”
The tray tilted slightly.
A fork slid toward the edge.
I caught it with my thumb.
Pain shot through my left arm as I instinctively tried to move it.
I bit my lip.
Vanessa noticed.
“Careful. Those plates cost more than your monthly salary.”
Several guests looked toward me.
I lowered my eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
“Then stop shaking.”
I tried.
But my left sleeve was growing wet.
And I knew it wasn't from spilled water.
My name is Hannah Collins.
I'm twenty-five years old, and I've worked at the Moretti mansion for nine months.
I needed this job.
My nineteen-year-old brother, Ethan, was studying automotive technology at a community college.
Our parents had died when he was fourteen.
Since then, I'd been the only family he had.
Every paycheck helped cover his tuition, rent, and groceries.
Vanessa knew that.
She knew almost everything about my life.
And three hours earlier, she'd used the one thing I loved most to make sure I kept my mouth shut.
My brother.
“Keep your other hand behind you.”
Vanessa's voice brought me back.
I glanced at her.
“Mrs. Sterling, please. The tray is very heavy.”
She smiled.
“Then perhaps you should have thought about that before making such a mess this afternoon.”
My throat tightened.
I looked toward the head of the table.
Luca Moretti was speaking quietly with two business associates.
Thirty-six years old.
Dark hair.
Black tailored suit.
A man whose name could silence an entire room.
He was the head of the Moretti family.
A powerful man with businesses throughout Chicago and a reputation that made even his closest associates careful around him.
But he hadn't looked in my direction yet.
Vanessa had made sure of that.
“Don't stare at him,” she whispered.
I lowered my eyes.
“I'm not.”
“If Luca asks about your arm, you'll tell him you fell.”
I said nothing.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“And if you tell him anything else, Ethan won't make it through the night.”
My stomach turned.
I gripped the tray harder.
“Yes, ma'am.”
She straightened.
“Good girl.”
Then she smiled at the guests.
“Would anyone care for more roasted potatoes?”
A few people nodded.
I moved around the table.
One plate.
Then another.
My right hand was beginning to tremble.
The tray pressed against my wrist.
I could feel something warm running down my left elbow beneath my sleeve.
I tried to ignore it.
Just finish dinner.
That was all I needed to do.
Finish dinner.
Wait until the guests left.
Then find a way to reach my brother.
But when I approached Luca's chair, my fingers slipped.
A silver spoon fell from the tray.
It struck the marble floor.
The sound was small.
But in that quiet dining room, it seemed terribly loud.
Vanessa turned immediately.
“Hannah!”
I froze.
“I'm sorry.”
“Honestly, can you do anything properly?”
I bent down.
But the tray was too heavy.
I couldn't reach the spoon without using my injured arm.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Pick it up.”
I swallowed.
“Yes, ma'am.”
I tried to lower myself.
Pain shot through my shoulder.
My breath caught.
Then a man's hand reached beneath the table.
Luca Moretti picked up the spoon.
“Here.”
I looked up.
“Thank you, sir.”
He was about to place it on the table.
Then he stopped.
His eyes moved toward my left sleeve.
A dark red drop had fallen onto the white marble.
Then another.
Luca stared.
“Hannah.”
My heart began pounding.
“Sir?”
“Are you bleeding?”
Vanessa answered immediately.
“Oh, darling, she had a little accident in the kitchen.”
Luca didn't look at her.
He looked at me.
“Hannah?”
I shook my head.
“No, sir. I'm fine.”
Another drop fell.
Luca slowly set down the spoon.
Then he stood.
“Put the tray down.”
Vanessa laughed.
“Luca, please. She's almost finished serving.”
He turned toward her.
“She's bleeding.”
“It's just a scratch.”
Luca looked back at me.
“Hannah, put the tray on the table.”
My fingers trembled.
I lowered it carefully.
The moment the weight left my hand, my knees nearly gave way.
Luca noticed.
“What's wrong with your arm?”
I shook my head.
“Nothing, sir.”
Vanessa stepped between us.
“She was careless with a broken glass. I already took care of it.”
Luca frowned.
“Then why is she still bleeding?”
Vanessa smiled.
“Because she keeps picking at it.”
I stared at the floor.
My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it.
Luca stepped closer.
“Hannah, show me your arm.”
I didn't move.
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“There's no need for that.”
Luca looked at her.
“Why not?”
“Because she's embarrassed.”
He turned back to me.
“Hannah?”
My lips trembled.
I could feel Vanessa watching me.
And I remembered what she'd shown me three hours earlier.
A photograph on her phone.
My brother sitting in a hospital bed.
A man standing beside him.
One hand resting on Ethan's shoulder.
Vanessa had smiled when she showed it to me.
“One phone call, Hannah. That's all it takes.”
Now Luca was standing in front of me.
Waiting.
And I couldn't tell him.
Not if it meant losing Ethan.
“Please, sir,” I whispered, “I'm all right.”
Luca looked down.
Another drop of blood hit the floor.
His expression changed.
“No, you're not.”
He gently reached toward my left arm.
I flinched.
Not because he hurt me.
Because I was terrified.
Luca stopped immediately.
He looked at my face.
Then toward Vanessa.
“Why is she afraid?”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Luca, you're making a scene.”
He didn't raise his voice.
“I'm asking Hannah a question.”
I couldn't breathe.
Luca turned back.
“Hannah, did someone hurt you?”
My eyes filled.
I shook my head.
Vanessa smiled.
“See? She's fine.”
But Luca was still watching me.
He lowered his voice.
“You don't have to be afraid of telling me the truth.”
I tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
Then Vanessa said sharply:
“Hannah, go back to the kitchen.”
I moved automatically.
But Luca stepped beside the chair.
“Wait.”
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Luca.”
He ignored her.
“Hannah, can you move your left hand?”
I hesitated.
Then slowly brought my arm forward.
The movement sent pain through my wrist.
I gasped.
My sleeve was soaked near the cuff.
Luca's face went cold.
He reached toward the fabric.
“May I look?”
I began crying.
“Please…”
He stopped.
“What is it?”
My voice broke.
“Please, sir… she'll hurt him.”
The room went silent.
Luca stared at me.
“Who?”
I couldn't answer.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Hannah, that's enough.”
Luca turned.
“Who is she talking about?”
Vanessa forced a laugh.
“Her brother. He's been having some personal problems.”
My stomach dropped.
Luca looked back at me.
“Ethan?”
I stared at him.
He remembered my brother's name.
Months earlier, he'd approved an advance on my salary when Ethan needed tuition money.
He'd asked about him once afterward.
I'd never imagined he would remember.
Luca's expression softened.
“Hannah, is Ethan in trouble?”
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
I nodded.
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“Hannah.”
I flinched.
Luca saw it.
He slowly turned toward his fiancée.
“Don't speak to her.”
Vanessa stared.
“Excuse me?”
“Not another word until I understand what's happening.”
She folded her arms.
“This is ridiculous.”
Luca looked back at me.
“May I see your arm?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
He carefully lifted the edge of my sleeve.
And went completely still.
A deep cut ran along the outside of my left forearm.
The skin around it was swollen.
Dried blood marked the fabric.
A narrow strip of gauze had been wrapped around my wrist, but it was already soaked through.
Luca stared at the injury.
Then his eyes moved toward something beneath the gauze.
A white plastic hospital identification band.
He gently turned my wrist.
And read the name.
ETHAN COLLINS.
His expression changed.
“Hannah…”
I began crying harder.
Luca looked at the band again.
“Why are you wearing your brother's hospital bracelet?”
I couldn't answer.
Vanessa suddenly reached toward my arm.
“Give me that.”
Luca caught her wrist.
“Don't.”
She froze.
He released her.
Then looked back at the bracelet.
It wasn't supposed to be on my arm.
I'd taken it from Ethan's hospital room that afternoon.
He'd pressed it into my hand before Vanessa's men dragged me away.
And he'd whispered:
“Keep it. If something happens, they'll know where I was.”
At the time, I hadn't understood.
Now Luca was staring at the printed hospital name.
Mercy Ridge Medical Center.
Room 417.
And the admission date.
Yesterday.
Luca looked at me.
“Ethan is in the hospital?”
I nodded.
“Why?”
My throat tightened.
“He was hurt.”
“How?”
I glanced at Vanessa.
She was staring at me.
Her eyes were cold.
Luca noticed.
He stepped slightly between us.
“Hannah, look at me.”
I tried.
“Did Vanessa threaten your brother?”
I began shaking.
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“Oh, for God's sake.”
Luca didn't turn.
“Hannah?”
I swallowed.
Then whispered:
“Yes.”
Nobody moved.
Vanessa's face went white.
Luca slowly turned toward her.
“What did you do?”
She stared.
“Nothing.”
“Then why is Hannah afraid for Ethan?”
“Because she's lying.”
Luca looked at the blood on my sleeve.
Then at the hospital bracelet.
Then back at Vanessa.
“She has an injury that needs medical attention, and she's wearing her hospitalized brother's identification band. I want an explanation.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You're going to believe a maid over your future wife?”
Luca's voice remained calm.
“I'm going to believe what I can see.”
Vanessa looked around the table.
Several guests lowered their eyes.
Then she whispered:
“Luca, please. Not here.”
He didn't move.
“What happened to Ethan?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“He was involved in an accident.”
Luca frowned.
“What accident?”
“A traffic accident.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
Luca's expression changed.
“Where?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Near the old river bridge.”
He went completely still.
The old river bridge.
I saw something change in his face.
Something that had nothing to do with my injury.
He looked at Vanessa.
“Why was Ethan there?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Luca stared.
“Then how do you know where the accident happened?”
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Nobody spoke.
Luca slowly turned toward me.
“Hannah, what did your brother see?”
My knees felt weak.
I remembered Ethan's voice on the phone.
Yesterday evening.
Shaking.
Terrified.
“Hannah, I saw something. Someone hit that car on purpose.”
I'd told him to call the police.
He said he already had.
Then the call ended.
An hour later, Vanessa appeared in the servants' corridor.
Holding Ethan's phone.
And smiling.
“Hannah,” Luca said gently, “tell me what happened.”
I began crying.
“Ethan was driving home from his evening class.”
Luca waited.
“He stopped near the bridge because he saw a car hit another vehicle.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Hannah, stop.”
Luca turned.
“Vanessa.”
She froze.
He looked back at me.
“Go on.”
I swallowed.
“He said the first car didn't stop.”
Luca's eyes narrowed.
“What kind of car?”
“A black SUV.”
His expression changed.
I continued.
“He said it turned around.”
The room went silent.
“Then it hit the other car again.”
Someone gasped.
Luca stared.
“Again?”
I nodded.
“He said the driver was trying to push the car over the bridge barrier.”
Vanessa's face drained of color.
Luca looked toward her.
Then back at me.
“Did Ethan see who was driving?”
I hesitated.
Vanessa whispered:
“Don't.”
Luca turned sharply.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
He looked at me.
“Hannah?”
My voice broke.
“He recognized the SUV.”
Luca went still.
“Whose was it?”
I couldn't answer.
Vanessa was watching me.
And I knew what would happen if I said the name.
Luca stepped closer.
“Was it one of mine?”
I shook my head.
“Then whose?”
Tears poured down my face.
“Mrs. Sterling's.”
The room went silent.
Vanessa slammed her hand against the table.
“That's a lie!”
I flinched.
Luca turned toward her.
“Sit down.”
She stared.
“Luca—”
“Sit.”
Vanessa slowly lowered herself into her chair.
He looked back at me.
“Did Ethan see Vanessa driving?”
I shook my head.
“No, sir.”
Luca frowned.
“Then what did he see?”
“He saw someone get out.”
“Who?”
I swallowed.
“A man.”
“What man?”
I looked toward Vanessa.
She closed her eyes.
“Mr. Sterling.”
Luca stared.
“Richard Sterling?”
I nodded.
Vanessa's father.
A wealthy attorney who had handled the Moretti family's legal affairs for more than twenty years.
Luca slowly looked toward the empty chair beside Vanessa.
Richard had been expected at dinner.
He'd called earlier to say he was delayed.
Luca's expression darkened.
“Richard was at the bridge?”
I nodded.
“Ethan recognized him because he'd seen him here before.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“My father was nowhere near that bridge.”
Luca looked at her.
“How do you know?”
She froze.
Then whispered:
“Because he told me.”
Luca stared.
“Why would he tell you where he wasn't?”
Vanessa couldn't answer.
I felt the room spinning.
My arm throbbed.
My sleeve was growing heavier.
Luca noticed.
He turned toward the nearest member of his security team.
“Daniel.”
A tall man stepped forward.
“Yes, sir?”
“Call Dr. Harris. Tell him we have an injured employee who needs immediate treatment.”
Daniel nodded.
“And have someone bring a first-aid kit.”
“Yes, sir.”
Vanessa stood.
“Luca, you're overreacting.”
He turned.
“Sit down.”
She stared.
“I'm your fiancée.”
“And Hannah is bleeding in my dining room.”
Vanessa said nothing.
Luca looked at Daniel again.
“Have security preserve every camera recording from this afternoon. And call Mercy Ridge Medical Center to confirm Ethan Collins is safe. Use the hospital's official number.”
My heart pounded.
Vanessa went completely still.
Luca noticed.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
He studied her.
“Why don't you want me calling the hospital?”
Vanessa began crying.
“Because you're going to make everything worse.”
Luca's expression hardened.
“For whom?”
She couldn't answer.
Then I whispered:
“Mr. Moretti…”
He turned.
“There's something else.”
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“Hannah, no.”
Luca stepped between us.
“Tell me.”
I swallowed.
“Ethan recorded the accident.”
Luca went still.
“With his phone?”
I nodded.
“He was parked behind a delivery truck. He started recording when the SUV turned around.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“Where's the phone?”
I looked at Vanessa.
She shook her head.
“No.”
Luca followed my gaze.
“Vanessa?”
She said nothing.
He stepped closer.
“Do you have Ethan's phone?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“No.”
I began crying again.
“She showed it to me this afternoon.”
Luca turned toward me.
“What?”
“She said she'd give it back if I promised not to tell anyone what Ethan saw.”
Vanessa stood.
“Hannah, you're lying!”
I flinched.
Luca's voice cut through the room.
“Enough.”
The entire dining room fell silent.
He looked at me.
“Did you agree?”
I nodded.
“I just wanted my brother safe.”
His expression softened.
“Then how did you hurt your arm?”
My voice trembled.
“I tried to take the phone.”
Vanessa's face changed.
I continued.
“She had it in her dressing room. I saw it on the table.”
Luca waited.
“I thought if I could get it back, I could give it to the police.”
I looked down at my sleeve.
“But one of her security men caught me.”
Luca's expression went cold.
“What did he do?”
I swallowed.
“He slammed the door while my arm was still between it and the frame.”
Several guests gasped.
I began crying harder.
“I fell against the broken glass on the dressing table. That's how I got cut.”
Luca stared at me.
“And Vanessa?”
“She was there.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I didn't tell him to hurt her.”
Luca turned toward her.
“But you watched?”
She said nothing.
“Did you call a doctor?”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
“No.”
“Did you allow Hannah to leave?”
She shook her head.
Luca stared at her.
“Instead, you made her serve dinner?”
Vanessa began sobbing.
“I didn't know it was that bad.”
Luca looked at the blood on my sleeve.
Then at the white hospital bracelet.
His voice became very quiet.
“You knew enough to tell her to hide it.”
Vanessa covered her face.
Nobody spoke.
Then Daniel returned.
“Mr. Moretti.”
Luca turned.
“What?”
“I contacted Mercy Ridge.”
My heart stopped.
Daniel hesitated.
“Ethan Collins is listed as a patient.”
I nearly collapsed with relief.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
“The hospital says he was transferred out of his room forty minutes ago.”
My stomach dropped.
Luca frowned.
“Transferred where?”
Daniel swallowed.
“They have no authorized transfer destination recorded.”
The room went silent.
I grabbed Luca's sleeve with my good hand.
“Please, sir…”
My voice broke.
“Please find him.”
Luca gently steadied me.
“I will.”
Then he turned toward Daniel.
“Find out who moved him. Call the hospital administrator and the police.”
Daniel nodded.
Luca looked at Vanessa.
“Where is Ethan?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“Vanessa.”
“I swear.”
He studied her.
Then asked:
“Who was the man who injured Hannah?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Marcus.”
Luca's expression changed.
“Marcus Bell?”
She nodded.
Luca went still.
Marcus Bell.
One of the private security contractors Richard Sterling had insisted on hiring six months earlier.
A man who had recently been assigned to protect Vanessa whenever she traveled without Luca.
Luca turned toward Daniel.
“Find Marcus.”
Daniel nodded.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
“Sir.”
Luca looked at him.
“What?”
“It's the gatehouse.”
“Answer it.”
Daniel listened.
Then slowly lowered the phone.
“Marcus Bell left the estate twenty minutes ago.”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“Alone?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No, sir.”
My heart began pounding.
“He was driving a black SUV.”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Daniel continued.
“And there was someone in the back seat.”
I stopped breathing.
Luca stared.
“Who?”
Daniel swallowed.
“A young man wearing a hospital gown.”
My knees gave way.
Luca caught me before I hit the floor.
“Ethan…”
I couldn't stop crying.
“He took Ethan.”
Luca looked toward Vanessa.
She was staring at the floor.
“Where is Marcus taking him?”
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Luca stepped closer.
“Vanessa.”
She began sobbing.
“Please don't ask me.”
“Where is he?”
She covered her mouth.
Then whispered:
“My father told Marcus to bring him to the old warehouse.”
Luca froze.
“What warehouse?”
Vanessa's lips trembled.
“The one near the river.”
Luca stared.
The old warehouse.
I saw the moment he recognized it.
He slowly turned toward Daniel.
“Get the cars ready. Give the police the location and everything Hannah has told us.”
Daniel nodded.
Then Luca looked back at Vanessa.
“Why would your father take Ethan there?”
She couldn't answer.
“Vanessa?”
Her voice broke.
“Because Ethan saw who was inside the other car.”
The room went silent.
Luca frowned.
“What other car?”
“The one the SUV hit.”
He stared.
“Who was inside it?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Luca, please.”
His voice dropped.
“Who?”
She began crying harder.
“Someone your family was never supposed to see again.”
Luca went completely still.
I looked between them.
“What does that mean?”
Vanessa stared at Luca.
Then whispered:
“Your sister.”
Nobody moved.
Luca's face drained of color.
“My sister?”
Vanessa nodded.
“Sofia.”
The room went silent.
Luca stepped backward.
Sofia Moretti.
His younger sister.
The woman who had disappeared from the family eight years earlier after a bitter dispute with their father.
Luca had always believed she'd left Chicago voluntarily.
He'd tried to find her.
Sent letters.
Called every number he had.
But Sofia had never answered.
And now Vanessa was telling him she'd been inside the car attacked near the bridge.
Luca's voice was barely audible.
“Was Sofia driving?”
Vanessa nodded.
“Why was she in Chicago?”
“I don't know.”
“Was she hurt?”
Vanessa began shaking.
“Luca…”
He stepped closer.
“Was my sister hurt?”
She looked away.
He stared at her.
Then asked:
“Did your father try to kill my sister?”
Vanessa covered her face.
“I didn't know he was going to do that.”
The room went silent.
Luca stared at her.
“What?”
She began sobbing.
“I only told him Sofia was coming back.”
Luca froze.
“You knew?”
Vanessa nodded.
“She contacted me last week.”
“Why?”
“She wanted to speak to you.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Vanessa's voice broke.
“Because she said she had proof.”
Luca stared.
“Proof of what?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“My father told me it wasn't true.”
“What wasn't true?”
She couldn't answer.
Luca's expression hardened.
“Vanessa.”
She looked up.
And whispered:
“That your father's death wasn't natural.”
The entire room went silent.
Luca stared at her.
His father, Antonio Moretti, had died four years earlier.
A sudden heart attack.
That's what the doctors had told him.
That's what the death certificate said.
Luca had buried him beneath a black marble headstone overlooking Lake Michigan.
He'd spent four years believing there was nothing anyone could have done.
Now Vanessa was standing in front of him.
Suggesting something entirely different.
“My father died of a heart attack,” Luca said.
Vanessa shook her head.
“Sofia didn't believe that.”
“Why?”
“She said she'd found his original medical records.”
Luca went still.
“What records?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Documents your father gave her before he died.”
Luca stared.
“And Richard knew about them?”
She nodded.
“That's why Sofia came back?”
Another nod.
Luca looked toward the hospital bracelet on my wrist.
Then toward Daniel.
“Ethan recorded the attack.”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
Luca turned toward me.
“Hannah, did your brother tell you what happened to the woman in the car?”
I shook my head.
“He said the car went through the barrier.”
Luca's face drained.
“Into the river?”
I nodded.
“But he saw someone climb out.”
Luca stepped closer.
“Who?”
I swallowed.
“He said a woman got out through the driver's window.”
Luca stared.
“Was she alive?”
I nodded.
“He said she was hurt, but she was moving.”
Luca closed his eyes.
For a moment, the powerful man everyone feared looked like a little boy who had just heard his sister might still be alive.
Then he whispered:
“Where did she go?”
I shook my head.
“Ethan didn't know.”
Luca opened his eyes.
And for the first time that evening, I saw something besides anger.
Hope.
Then Daniel's phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
And went completely still.
“Mr. Moretti.”
Luca turned.
“What?”
Daniel swallowed.
“We have another problem.”
Luca stared.
“Tell me.”
“The hospital has confirmed that someone accessed Ethan's patient records shortly before he disappeared.”
Luca frowned.
“Who?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Richard Sterling.”
Vanessa began crying again.
Luca's expression hardened.
“Get the police that information. Now.”
Daniel nodded.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I looked down.
A photograph appeared.
Ethan.
Sitting in a metal chair.
Still wearing his hospital gown.
His face bruised.
His hands resting in his lap.
Behind him was a concrete wall.
My heart stopped.
A message appeared.
Hannah Collins.
I began shaking.
Another message.
Your brother is alive.
I looked toward Luca.
He noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
I couldn't speak.
A third message appeared.
“If Luca Moretti wants his sister alive, he'll come to the warehouse alone.”
I covered my mouth.
Luca gently took the phone when I held it toward him.
He read the message.
His face went cold.
Then another photograph arrived.
A woman sitting against a concrete wall.
Dark hair.
Pale face.
A bandage across her forehead.
Her eyes were open.
Luca stared.
His hand began trembling.
“Sofia.”
I looked at him.
“Sir?”
He slowly lowered the phone.
“My sister.”
His voice broke.
“That's my sister.”
For several seconds, he couldn't move.
Then the phone vibrated again.
A final message appeared.
“Bring the original medical file your father left behind. You have one hour.”
Luca frowned.
“What medical file?”
Vanessa suddenly stopped crying.
Her face went white.
Luca turned toward her.
“Vanessa?”
She stared at the phone.
Then whispered:
“You don't have it.”
Luca's eyes narrowed.
“Have what?”
She shook her head.
“Your father never gave it to you.”
Luca stepped closer.
“Where is it?”
Vanessa began trembling.
“I thought Richard destroyed it.”
“What file?”
She looked toward me.
Then toward the hospital bracelet on my wrist.
And suddenly, her expression changed.
“Wait.”
Luca frowned.
“What?”
Vanessa pointed at the bracelet.
“Why is Hannah wearing that?”
Luca stared.
“We already discussed this.”
“No.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Why would Ethan give his sister his hospital bracelet?”
I looked down.
My brother had pressed it into my hand.
He'd insisted I keep it.
I'd assumed he wanted someone to know where he'd been.
But now—
I noticed something beneath the plastic.
A small folded strip of paper.
Tucked behind the identification label.
My heart pounded.
“Mr. Moretti…”
Luca turned.
I slowly lifted the edge of the band.
There was something hidden inside.
A tiny piece of paper.
Folded three times.
I pulled it free.
My hands trembled.
On it were six handwritten words.
“THE FILE IS NOT AT HOME.”
Luca stared.
Then he noticed something written on the other side.
A number.
417.
And beneath it:
Ask what happened in Room 417.
Luca frowned.
“Room 417?”
I nodded.
“Ethan's hospital room.”
Vanessa suddenly stepped backward.
Luca noticed.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
He stared at her.
“Vanessa, why are you afraid of that room number?”
Her lips trembled.
Then she whispered:
“Because that's where your father died.”
The entire room went silent.
Luca stared.
“No.”
Vanessa nodded.
“Mercy Ridge. Room 417.”
He shook his head.
“My father died at St. Catherine's Hospital.”
Vanessa began crying.
“That's what Richard told you.”
Luca went completely still.
“What?”
She covered her mouth.
But it was too late.
Luca stepped closer.
“Where did my father actually die?”
Vanessa's voice broke.
“Mercy Ridge.”
“Why was he there?”
She couldn't answer.
Luca stared at her.
Then looked toward the bracelet.
Ethan Collins.
Room 417.
The same room where his father had secretly died four years earlier.
And suddenly, something made sense.
Ethan hadn't simply been admitted to the hospital.
Someone had deliberately placed him in that room.
Someone wanted him to find something.
Or someone wanted him to disappear before he could.
Luca looked at me.
“Hannah, did Ethan tell you anything unusual about his room?”
I thought back.
The hospital.
My brother lying in bed.
His bruised face.
His trembling hands.
And the strange thing he'd said when I was leaving.
“Hannah, if something happens to me, remember the woman who cleaned my room.”
I'd assumed he meant the hospital housekeeper.
But now I remembered.
The woman hadn't been wearing a hospital uniform.
She'd been wearing a dark blue coat.
And she'd handed Ethan a folded envelope.
“Mr. Moretti,” I whispered, “someone visited Ethan yesterday.”
Luca stared.
“Who?”
“I don't know her name.”
“What did she look like?”
I swallowed.
“Dark hair. Around forty. She had a bandage on her forehead.”
Luca went completely still.
“A bandage?”
I nodded.
“Across her forehead.”
He looked at the photograph of his sister.
The same bandage.
The same dark hair.
The same face.
Luca stared at me.
“Hannah… my sister visited Ethan in the hospital?”
I nodded slowly.
“I think so.”
Vanessa sank into a chair.
Her face was white.
Luca turned toward her.
“You told me Sofia was at the warehouse.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I thought she was.”
“Then who is in that photograph?”
She couldn't answer.
Luca looked at the image again.
The woman against the concrete wall.
The bandage.
The frightened expression.
Then he zoomed in.
And noticed something.
A small clock hanging on the wall.
Its hands showed 9:15.
But the timestamp embedded in the photograph was from three days earlier.
Before the accident at the bridge.
Luca's expression changed.
“This photograph isn't from tonight.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Sir?”
Luca held up the phone.
“Someone is using an old photograph to make us believe Sofia is being held at the warehouse.”
Vanessa began shaking.
Luca turned toward her.
“Where is my sister?”
She whispered:
“I don't know.”
Then my phone rang.
Unknown caller.
Luca looked at me.
I answered with trembling hands.
“Hello?”
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then a woman's voice spoke.
Low.
Breathless.
“Hannah Collins?”
“Yes?”
“Is Luca Moretti with you?”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
The woman exhaled.
“Put me on speaker.”
I did.
Luca leaned closer.
“Who is this?”
A pause.
Then the woman whispered:
“Luca… it's Sofia.”
His face drained of color.
“Sofia?”
Her voice broke.
“I'm alive.”
Luca gripped the table.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you yet.”
“Are you hurt?”
“Not badly.”
He closed his eyes.
“God, Sofia. I've been looking for you for eight years.”
She began crying.
“I know.”
Then her voice changed.
“Luca, listen carefully. Richard Sterling has Ethan.”
Luca opened his eyes.
“I know.”
“And Vanessa knows why.”
He slowly looked toward his fiancée.
She was shaking.
“Sofia,” he whispered, “what happened to Dad?”
A long silence followed.
Then she said:
“He didn't die of a heart attack.”
Luca went completely still.
“What?”
Sofia's voice trembled.
“Dad discovered Richard was stealing money from the family trust. He was going to tell you everything.”
Luca stared.
“And?”
“He never got the chance.”
“Why?”
Sofia began crying.
“Because someone changed his medication.”
The room went silent.
Luca looked toward Vanessa.
Her face had gone completely white.
Sofia continued.
“I have the original medical file.”
Luca's voice dropped.
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Then bring it to me.”
“I will.”
She paused.
“But first, you need to know something about Ethan.”
I felt my heart stop.
“What about my brother?”
Sofia's voice softened.
“Hannah, Ethan didn't just witness the accident.”
I gripped the table.
“What?”
“He helped me escape.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“He did?”
“Yes.”
She paused.
“And before Richard's men caught him, I gave him something.”
Luca looked at the bracelet.
“The hospital band?”
“No.”
Sofia's voice became urgent.
“A small silver flash drive.”
I froze.
Because I remembered.
Ethan had asked me to keep his phone.
Not because he wanted it charged.
Because there was something hidden inside the case.
“Mr. Moretti,” I whispered, “Ethan's phone…”
Luca turned.
“What about it?”
“He had a flash drive.”
Vanessa suddenly stood.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
Her face was white.
Luca stared at her.
“Vanessa?”
She began backing toward the door.
“You don't understand.”
He stepped closer.
“What don't I understand?”
She shook her head.
“That drive doesn't just prove what happened to your father.”
Luca froze.
“What else is on it?”
Vanessa began crying.
“The recording.”
Sofia's voice came sharply through the phone.
“Luca, don't let her leave.”
Luca stared at Vanessa.
“What recording?”
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Then whispered:
“The recording of the night your father begged me to save him.”
Nobody moved.
Luca's expression changed.
“You were there?”
Vanessa nodded.
Tears ran down her face.
“I was in the room.”
Luca stared.
“When Dad died?”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
The silence was unbearable.
Then Luca asked:
“Did you help him?”
Vanessa couldn't answer.
He took one step closer.
“Vanessa.”
She began sobbing.
“I wanted to.”
Luca's face drained of color.
“What stopped you?”
Vanessa looked toward the dining room doors.
And whispered:
“Your father told me Richard wasn't acting alone.”
Luca went still.
“Who was helping him?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Please don't make me say it.”
Sofia's voice broke through the phone.
“Luca, listen to me. The man who helped Richard is still inside your house.”
Every guest turned.
Luca looked toward the doors.
Then toward Daniel.
The head of security stood motionless.
His face had gone pale.
Sofia continued.
“And he's the same man who signed the order to move Ethan out of the hospital.”
Daniel slowly lowered his eyes.
Luca noticed.
“Daniel?”
Nobody moved.
The security chief looked toward Vanessa.
Then toward the exit.
Luca's expression hardened.
“Daniel, what do you know about Ethan's transfer?”
Daniel said nothing.
The phone crackled.
Sofia's voice rose.
“Luca, get away from—”
The call disconnected.
Silence.
Luca stared at the screen.
Then at Daniel.
And before anyone could speak, a new message appeared on my phone.
A video.
Sent from Ethan's number.
I opened it.
The screen showed a hospital room.
An elderly man lying in bed.
A heart monitor beside him.
His face was pale.
His breathing labored.
Antonio Moretti.
Luca's father.
Alive.
Four years earlier.
A woman's voice whispered from behind the camera:
“Richard, he's asking for Luca.”
Then a man's voice answered:
“He won't be seeing Luca.”
The camera shifted.
A figure stepped into view.
Wearing a dark suit.
Holding a small medical bag.
Luca leaned closer.
His face changed.
Because the man in the video wasn't Richard Sterling.
It was someone standing in the dining room.
Someone who had been beside Luca for years.
Someone he'd trusted to protect his family.
Daniel Bell.
His own head of security.
Luca slowly raised his eyes.
Daniel was already reaching inside his jacket.
And Vanessa screamed:
“LUCA, DON'T LET HIM GET TO HANNAH!”
Because the wounded maid standing beside the dining table wasn't just a witness anymore.
She was holding the only evidence that could expose what had happened to Antonio Moretti.
And somewhere in Chicago, her nineteen-year-old brother was still being held by the men who had tried to silence him.
The blood on Hannah's sleeve had revealed a threat. The hospital bracelet had exposed a secret. But the video on her phone was about to show Luca that the man he'd trusted to protect his family had been standing beside his father's hospital bed the night he died.
May you like
What would you do if the person you trusted to protect your family turned out to be the one hiding the truth about their deaths?
The full story continues in the first comment. Thank you for reading, and stay with Hannah as Luca races to save her brother, uncover his father's murder, and discover why his missing sister risked everything to bring the truth home.
