Chapter 4 - The Sister Who Knew Too Much
Chloe was still at the wedding when they returned.
She was laughing with her new husband.
Nobody knew anything had happened.
Nebula watched her from across the ballroom.
The sister she had protected.
The sister she had helped raise.
The sister who had cried when Nebula married Richard.
The sister who had told her she deserved happiness.
And now Richard had said her name.
Matteo stood beside Nebula.
“You don't have to accuse her.”
“I know.”
“But you will investigate.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
That was one thing about Matteo.
He never told her what she wanted to hear.
He told her the truth.
They waited until the wedding ended.
Then Chloe came to the hotel suite.
She hugged Nebula.
“You're alive.”
Nebula stiffened.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
Chloe froze.
“I'm sorry.”
Nebula studied her.
“Where is your husband?”
“Downstairs.”
“Did Richard talk to you tonight?”
“No.”
“Did he call?”
“No.”
“Do you know where he is?”
Chloe shook her head.
Then she saw Matteo.
Her face went pale.
“You brought him here?”
“He saved me.”
Chloe looked down.
“Of course.”
Nebula caught the hesitation.
“Chloe.”
“Yes?”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I am.”
“Did Richard ever talk to you about my mother?”
Chloe's eyes filled.
“What are you asking?”
“You know what I'm asking.”
Silence.
Then Chloe began to cry.
“I didn't mean for this to happen.”
Nebula's stomach dropped.
“What did you do?”
“I gave him the key.”
Matteo stepped forward.
“What key?”
“The one our father gave me.”
Nebula stared.
“Our father gave you a key?”
Chloe nodded.
“He told me to protect you.”
“By helping Richard?”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Richard threatened me.”
“With what?”
“He said if I didn't help him, he'd send the photographs.”
“What photographs?”
Chloe couldn't answer.
Matteo looked at Marco.
“Find them.”
Within minutes, the photographs were recovered.
They showed Chloe meeting Richard multiple times.
Money transfers.
Documents.
But one photograph was different.
Chloe standing beside Gabriel Sloan.
Nebula looked at her.
“You know him.”
“I was trying to stop him.”
“Then why did you meet him?”
“Because he knew where Mom's killer was.”
Nebula froze.
“Who?”
Chloe whispered:
“Uncle Victor.”
Their mother's brother.
Nebula had believed he died years ago.
He hadn't.
Victor had been working with Gabriel.
He had arranged the attack.
He had helped Richard.
And he had one goal.
The Black Ledger.
Nebula sat down.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Dad told me you had to stay out of it.”
“And you listened?”
“Yes.”
“You knew all this for years?”
Chloe's face crumpled.
“I was scared.”
Nebula couldn't speak.
Matteo stepped away.
His phone rang.
He answered.
“Talk.”
A pause.
Then his face changed.
“Where?”
He hung up.
“Gabriel took the church.”
“What?”
“He knows we're coming.”
Nebula stood.
“The ledger is there.”
“Yes.”
“And my father hid it.”
“Yes.”
She looked at Matteo.
“Then let's get it.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
She stared.
“I'm going.”
“It could be a trap.”
“Everything is a trap.”
“Nebula—”
“My entire life has been a trap.”
She stepped closer.
“You can protect me.”
His jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
“Then let's go.”
The old church stood on the edge of the city.
Snow had begun falling.
The doors were open.
Inside, candles burned.
Gabriel stood at the altar.
Victor stood beside him.
And between them was a metal box.
Victor smiled.
“So you're finally home.”
Nebula froze.
“You killed my mother.”
Victor shook his head.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
“Your father.”
She stared.
“That isn't possible.”
Victor laughed.
“Your father killed the woman he loved to protect his empire.”
Matteo moved.
Gabriel raised his weapon.
“Stop.”
Nebula looked at the box.
“What is it?”
“The ledger.”
“Give it to me.”
Victor smiled.
“You can have it.”
Nebula didn't trust him.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
Matteo stepped forward.
“You're not taking her.”
Victor laughed.
“Still playing the hero, Moretti?”
“I'm not a hero.”
“No.”
Victor looked at him.
“You're something worse.”
He pressed a button.
The church doors locked.
Smoke began filling the room.
Nebula coughed.
Matteo grabbed her hand.
“Stay with me.”
“I am.”
The floor shook.
A fire started near the altar.
Gabriel shouted.
Victor disappeared through a hidden door.
Nebula saw the metal box.
She ran.
Matteo shouted her name.
She grabbed it.
Then the ceiling began to collapse.
Matteo reached her.
He wrapped his body around hers as debris crashed around them.
For several seconds, there was nothing but dust.
Then silence.
He lifted his head.
“You hurt?”
She shook hers.
He touched her cheek.
“You keep doing this.”
“What?”
“Running toward danger.”
She smiled weakly.
“I'm learning from you.”
He laughed.
Even there.
In a burning church.
He laughed.
Then they found the ledger.
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And inside it was a page marked with one name.
MATTEO MORETTI.
