Chapter 9 - The Third Child
The Moretti estate stood on a hill overlooking the city.
It had been empty for six years.
Or so Luca believed.
The old gates opened at exactly midnight.
Luca entered with Elena beside him.
Marcus followed with a small security team.
The children remained at the safe house under the protection of trusted guards.
Michael had promised to release Emily once Luca arrived.
But Luca had no intention of trusting another promise.
Inside the mansion, the lights were already on.
His father stood at the bottom of the staircase.
Anthony Moretti looked older than Luca remembered.
His face was thinner.
His movements slower.
But his eyes still carried the same authority.
"Son."
Luca didn't answer.
Anthony glanced at Elena.
"You should have stayed dead."
Elena lifted her chin.
"You should have stayed buried."
Anthony smiled.
"Still stubborn."
"Still cruel."
Michael appeared from the adjoining room.
Emily stood beside him.
Luca immediately moved forward.
Michael raised one hand.
"She's fine."
Emily ran toward Luca.
He caught her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"Mr. Moretti, we need to leave."
"In a minute."
Anthony laughed.
"Always the hero."
Luca turned toward him.
"Where is the third child?"
Anthony's smile disappeared.
Elena stepped forward.
"Tell him."
The old man sighed.
"Your wife had triplets."
Luca froze.
"Triplets?"
Elena nodded.
"There were three babies. Two boys and a girl."
Luca looked at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because the third child was taken before I could hold her."
Anthony folded his hands.
"She was the strongest of the three. Your mother wanted her to inherit the original family trust."
Luca stared.
"My mother?"
Anthony nodded.
"She discovered the truth about the trust before she died. She arranged for the third child to be placed with a family outside the Moretti organization."
"Where is she?"
Anthony looked toward Michael.
"Ask your brother."
Michael lowered his eyes.
Luca turned.
"You knew?"
Michael nodded.
"I found her years ago."
"Where?"
"With a family in Boston."
Elena began crying.
"Is she alive?"
Michael nodded.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you bring her home?"
"Because she doesn't know who she is."
Anthony smiled.
"That's the problem with secrets. Eventually, they become more dangerous than the truth."
Luca stepped toward him.
"Give me her name."
Anthony shook his head.
"Not until you sign the agreement."
Marcus immediately raised his weapon.
"What agreement?"
Anthony pointed toward a document on the table.
"The family trust. Luca signs away control, and the children receive their inheritance."
Luca looked at the document.
It was a transfer of ownership.
Every legitimate Moretti asset would move into an offshore company controlled by Anthony.
"You want me to hand you everything?"
"I want you to stop pretending you can protect this family."
Luca picked up the document.
Then he tore it in half.
Anthony's expression darkened.
"You're making a mistake."
"No. I made one six years ago when I believed you were dead."
Anthony looked toward Michael.
"Take care of him."
Michael didn't move.
Anthony's voice sharpened.
"Michael!"
His son stepped forward.
Then he pointed his gun at Anthony.
"Enough."
Anthony stared at him.
"You owe me everything."
Michael shook his head.
"You owe me a childhood."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Anthony reached inside his jacket.
Marcus shouted.
A gunshot rang out.
Michael collapsed.
Luca rushed toward him.
But Michael had not been shot.
He had fired first.
Anthony fell against the staircase, clutching his shoulder.
Marcus disarmed him.
"Secure the room!"
Michael looked up at Luca.
"Go."
Luca knelt beside him.
"You're coming with us."
Michael smiled weakly.
"Find the girl."
"Where?"
Michael reached into his pocket and handed him a small photograph.
It showed a young woman standing outside a university building.
On the back was a name.
SOPHIA REED.
Luca looked at the photograph.
"That's the doctor."
Michael shook his head.
"No. That's your sister."
Elena covered her mouth.
Luca stared at the image.
Then he turned toward his wife.
"Is this true?"
Elena nodded through tears.
"Your mother gave birth to a daughter before she died. Your father told everyone the baby didn't survive."
Luca looked down at the photograph again.
The woman in it had his mother's eyes.
And beneath her name was a handwritten message.
May you like
SHE HAS BEEN WATCHING YOU FOR YEARS.
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