Chapter 2 - The Son Who Was Buried Alive
For several seconds, nobody in the ballroom moved.
Luca stared at the second hospital bracelet in Emily's hand.
MICHAEL MORETTI.
His brother's name.
His dead brother's name.
Michael had supposedly died in a car explosion eleven months before Elena's death. Luca had identified his brother through a collection of personal belongings recovered from the wreckage because there had been almost nothing left of the vehicle.
He remembered the funeral.
He remembered lowering his head while his father's associates offered condolences.
He remembered promising himself that the people responsible would never escape punishment.
And now, six years later, his brother's name was printed on a newborn's hospital bracelet.
"Explain," Luca said.
Dr. Hayes swallowed.
"Not here."
Luca stepped closer.
"You have approximately five seconds to convince me why I shouldn't have my men drag you into the basement."
The doctor looked toward the guests.
"Your wife delivered twins."
Luca went completely still.
"Twins?"
"Two boys. Michael and Grace."
Emily shook her head.
"Grace is a girl."
The doctor looked down at the baby.
"Grace was the name Elena chose before the delivery. But the second bracelet was printed incorrectly. It was supposed to carry the name of the other child."
"Then why does it say Michael Moretti?"
Richard closed his eyes.
"Because your brother was there when the children were delivered."
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"Richard, stop."
Luca turned toward her.
"You knew?"
"I knew about the babies."
"Both of them?"
She hesitated.
That hesitation told him enough.
Luca handed Grace back to Emily and turned toward his security chief.
"Lock the mansion down. Nobody leaves. Nobody makes a phone call without my permission."
The guests began protesting.
A senator approached him.
"Luca, perhaps this family matter should be handled privately."
Luca looked at him.
"My family has been lying to me for six years. I think privacy has had its opportunity."
His security team escorted the guests into the adjoining rooms.
Vanessa watched the wedding guests disappear.
Her perfect wedding was over.
But she seemed more frightened by something else.
"Where is Michael?" Luca demanded.
Richard shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Try again."
"I swear."
Luca grabbed the doctor's jacket.
"You signed his death certificate."
"I was instructed to."
"By whom?"
Richard looked toward the staircase.
Before he could answer, Emily spoke.
"Mr. Moretti, I know where the second child is."
Everyone turned toward her.
Luca released the doctor.
"How?"
Emily looked at Grace.
"The nurse who gave me the bracelet told me that the boy was transferred to a private pediatric facility. She said his records were changed, and he was registered under another name."
"Which facility?"
"St. Catherine's Children's Center."
Richard's expression changed.
"That's impossible."
Emily noticed.
"Why?"
The doctor looked at Luca.
"Because that hospital closed three years ago."
A cold silence followed.
Luca reached for his phone.
"Get me the property records. Every employee, every transfer, every patient file connected to that facility."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"You're making a mistake."
Luca didn't look at her.
"Get away from me."
"Michael wasn't the person you remember."
Luca turned slowly.
"He's my brother."
"Your brother tried to destroy you."
Luca's eyes narrowed.
"Why would you say that?"
Vanessa looked toward Richard.
The doctor finally spoke.
"Because Michael wasn't the only person who knew Elena's pregnancy could ruin the family."
Luca waited.
Richard continued.
"Your father had arranged for Elena's marriage to be annulled before she gave birth. He believed the children would threaten the succession of the Moretti organization."
"My father died before Elena."
"Yes. But his instructions didn't."
Luca's jaw tightened.
"Who carried them out?"
Richard looked at Vanessa.
She began crying.
"I was twenty-six," she whispered. "Your father promised my family protection if I helped him."
Luca stared at her.
"You helped him steal my children?"
"I thought they were going to be raised safely."
"You thought?"
"I was told Elena was dying. I was told the babies would never survive without immediate medical intervention."
"And you believed that?"
Vanessa shook her head.
"No. Not entirely."
Emily suddenly looked up.
"Then why did you keep quiet?"
Vanessa looked at her.
"Because I was threatened."
"By whom?"
Vanessa opened her mouth.
A gunshot shattered the silence.
The chandelier above the altar trembled.
One of Luca's guards collapsed near the entrance.
"DOWN!" Luca shouted.
He grabbed Emily and pulled her behind the stone altar.
Richard threw himself onto the floor.
Vanessa screamed.
Luca drew his weapon.
Another shot struck the marble column.
His security chief shouted through the radio.
"North entrance compromised! Someone is inside!"
Luca looked toward Emily.
"Stay here."
She held Grace tighter.
"Mr. Moretti, please."
He met her eyes.
"Nobody is taking that child again."
Then he disappeared into the smoke-filled corridor.
Three minutes later, the gunfire stopped.
Luca returned with blood running down his sleeve.
Behind him, two guards dragged an unconscious man into the ballroom.
Luca recognized him immediately.
It was the head of security at St. Catherine's.
The man had supposedly died in an accident two years earlier.
Luca crouched beside him.
"Who sent you?"
The man smiled through bloodied teeth.
"Your brother."
Luca's expression hardened.
"Michael?"
The man nodded.
Then he leaned closer.
"He said to tell you something."
"What?"
The man coughed.
"Your wife isn't dead."
Luca stopped breathing.
And before the man could say another word, his body went limp.
Emily looked at the baby.
Grace had opened her eyes.
And beneath her blanket, a small electronic device began blinking.
A message appeared on its tiny screen.
May you like
ONE CHILD HAS BEEN RETURNED. THE OTHER IS WAITING FOR HIS FATHER.
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