Chapter 5 - The Truth About Matteo DelaorThe man's name was Julian Cross.
He had been a private investigator hired by Matteo.
Not his killer.
His witness.
Matteo had staged his disappearance.
Julian helped.
The supposed death was part of a larger operation.
He wanted to expose Victor Ror.
But before Matteo could release the evidence, he disappeared again.
Julian had spent years searching.
Then the trail led to Dela.
“I didn't approach you because I wasn't sure who was watching.”
Dela stared.
“And now?”
“Now they know.”
“Who?”
“Everyone.”
He gave Raphael a flash drive.
“The full ledger.”
Raphael opened it.
Names.
Accounts.
Transfers.
Politicians.
Lawyers.
Hospitals.
Everything.
Dela read.
Then stopped.
Her own name appeared.
Beside it:
Primary beneficiary.
Then another line.
Guardian: Raphael Castellanos.
She looked at him.
“You knew.”
“No.”
Her voice hardened.
“You didn't know?”
“I knew your father wanted me to protect you.”
“Not this.”
“No.”
She believed him.
That mattered.
Then Julian spoke.
“There's another clause.”
“What?”
“Once Dela marries a beneficiary from the Castellanos family, control of Riverline becomes permanent.”
Dela stared.
“So Camille wanted Raphael.”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“Now the entire structure collapses if you and Raphael marry.”
Silence.
Raphael looked at Dela.
“You don't have to.”
She frowned.
“Have to what?”
“Marry me.”
Her heart beat faster.
“I know.”
“I mean it.”
“You don't have to offer.”
“I know.”
She stared at him.
“And if I want to?”
He froze.
“Then I'll say yes.”
The moment between them was interrupted by gunfire upstairs.
Julian pushed them down.
“Move!”
They escaped through the tunnel.
Outside, snow was falling hard.
Dela looked back.
“Who was shooting?”
Julian shook his head.
“Victor's men.”
Raphael's face hardened.
“Then we end this.”
They drove to an estate belonging to Anna Delaor.
Dela had not seen her mother in fifteen years.
When the door opened, she couldn't move.
Anna cried.
“My baby.”
Dela walked into her arms.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Dela pulled away.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“Everyone says that.”
Anna looked at Raphael.
“He protected you.”
Dela nodded.
“He did.”
Anna smiled.
Then she handed her daughter a small wooden box.
Inside was a ring.
Her father's ring.
“Your father left this for you.”
Dela touched it.
“What does it do?”
“It opens the last room.”
“Where?”
Anna looked toward Raphael.
“Your father's office.”
They entered the hidden study.
A wall opened.
Inside was a single desk.
On it:
A letter.
A photograph.
And a phone.
The phone rang.
Dela answered.
“Hello?”
Her father's voice.
This time live.
Her knees weakened.
“Papa?”
“Yes.”
She began crying.
“Where are you?”
“Not far.”
“Why did you leave?”
“Because I wanted you alive.”
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“I missed you.”
“I know.”
Raphael stood silently.
Matteo continued.
“Dela, I need you to listen.”
“To what?”
“Victor is coming.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“What does he want?”
“You.”
“Why?”
“Because you are the final beneficiary.”
Dela's face tightened.
“How much control do I have?”
“Enough to destroy his empire.”
“Then I will.”
“No.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because destruction isn't the answer.”
“What is?”
“Justice.”
The line ended.
Anna cried.
Dela looked at Raphael.
“I want him found.”
“We'll find him.”
“And when we do?”
Raphael smiled.
“We let the law take him.”
The words sounded strange coming from him.
Dela smiled.
“You're changing.”
“So are you.”
Then a car approached.
Julian looked outside.
“That's Victor.”
The estate was surrounded.
Dela looked at Raphael.
“We need a plan.”
He nodded.
“You stay inside.”
“No.”
“Dela.”
“You need me.”
He hesitated.
She continued:
“You can't fight all of them.”
“No.”
“But I can negotiate.”
He almost laughed.
“You?”
“I've learned four languages.”
“That doesn't make you dangerous.”
She smiled.
“Words can be.”
She stepped outside.
Victor stood in the snow.
He looked at her.
“So you're Matteo's daughter.”
“Yes.”
“You look like your mother.”
“I've heard.”
He smiled.
“You have something I need.”
“Riverline.”
“Yes.”
“You won't have it.”
He walked closer.
“I don't need your permission.”
“You do.”
“How?”
She held up the trust document.
“The final clause requires a witness.”
“Who?”
She looked at Raphael.
“Someone who has protected me.”
Victor's smile vanished.
“You think love can save you?”
Dela answered:
“No.”
She stepped forward.
“Truth can.”
Behind Victor, police cars appeared.
Sirens.
He turned.
Dela smiled.
“You should read the room.”
Victor was arrested.
But before he was taken away, he looked at Raphael.
“Your father is going to prison.”
Raphael froze.
“My father?”
May you like
Victor laughed.
“You still don't know.”
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