Chapter 7 - The Children Were Never Meant to Be Reunited
The DNA results arrived at 8:15 the next morning.
Luca read them twice.
Then a third time.
Grace Moretti was his biological daughter.
Daniel Moretti was also his biological son.
But the original hospital records had been deliberately switched.
The boy who had spent six years hidden inside the mansion was the child everyone believed had been transferred to Michael.
The girl Emily had carried into the wedding was the child who had supposedly died.
The twins had been separated to prevent anyone from discovering their existence.
Luca placed the reports on his desk.
"Why?" he asked.
Richard sat across from him.
"Your father believed the twins would create a succession conflict."
"Between whom?"
"Michael and you."
Luca shook his head.
"Michael isn't my son."
"No. But your father intended to make him appear to be the father of the children."
"Why would that help?"
"Because the Moretti family trust required a direct male heir. Your father wanted Michael to control the trust through Daniel."
Luca stared at him.
"And Grace?"
"She was supposed to disappear."
Emily looked horrified.
"She was a newborn."
Richard lowered his eyes.
"I know."
"Then how could you do it?"
The doctor had no answer.
Luca turned toward Marcus.
"Find every person involved in the original transfer."
Marcus nodded.
But before he could leave, a message appeared on Luca's phone.
It was from an unknown number.
A photograph showed Elena sitting in a chair.
Her hands were tied.
Behind her stood a man wearing a black suit.
The message contained six words.
BRING THE CHILDREN. COME ALONE.
Luca immediately stood.
Marcus reached for his weapon.
"Boss, it's a trap."
"I know."
"Then we're not letting you go alone."
Luca looked toward the children.
Emily was sitting beside Grace while Daniel stood close to her.
For the first time, the twins were together.
Daniel reached toward his sister.
Grace wrapped her tiny fingers around his.
Luca watched them.
Then he turned to Marcus.
"Take them to the safe house. No one knows the location."
"What about Elena?"
"I'll get her."
Emily stood.
"Let me come."
"No."
"She knows me. She trusted me with Grace."
Luca looked at her.
"That's exactly why I can't risk losing you."
Emily stepped closer.
"Mr. Moretti, Elena trusted me because I promised I would protect her children. I'm not breaking that promise now."
Luca studied her.
He had spent years surrounded by people who wanted his money, his influence, and his approval.
Emily wanted nothing from him.
She had risked her life for two children who weren't hers.
"Stay behind me," he finally said.
They drove to an abandoned textile factory outside the city.
Luca entered through the main gate.
The building was silent.
A single light burned in the center of the warehouse.
Elena sat beneath it.
Her hands were tied.
A man stood behind her.
Luca recognized him.
Anthony Moretti's former attorney.
Samuel Price.
But Samuel had died five years earlier.
"Another dead man," Luca said.
Samuel smiled.
"Your family has a habit of burying the wrong people."
Luca raised his gun.
"Release my wife."
Samuel shook his head.
"Your wife is not the reason you're here."
"Then what do you want?"
"The children."
"You're not getting them."
Samuel nodded toward the shadows.
Several armed men emerged.
Emily stepped behind a concrete pillar.
Luca kept his weapon trained on Samuel.
"Who is paying you?"
Samuel laughed.
"Nobody pays me anymore. I work for the family."
"Which family?"
Samuel looked directly at Luca.
"The one your father built. The one your grandfather protected. The one your brother thinks he can inherit."
Luca's jaw tightened.
"Michael is in a hospital."
Samuel smiled.
"Is he?"
Luca's phone vibrated.
Marcus had sent a message.
MICHAEL HAS DISAPPEARED.
Luca's stomach dropped.
Samuel noticed his expression.
"Now you understand."
A gunshot echoed.
The lights went out.
Emily heard Elena scream.
Then someone grabbed her from behind.
She fought, but a hand covered her mouth.
When the emergency lights came on, Samuel was gone.
Elena was still tied to the chair.
Luca rushed toward her.
But Emily was missing.
On the floor lay a small white envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Grace and Daniel.
And a message written in red ink.
May you like
ONE CHILD FOR ONE WIFE. MAKE YOUR CHOICE.
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