Chapter 6 - Daniel Was Alive, But Someone Had Kept Him Hidden From Me for Two Years
We entered the hospital through the underground loading entrance.
Alessandro's men secured each corridor.
The building was almost empty.
Emergency lights flickered overhead.
The hospital smelled like antiseptic and old fear.
Matteo checked the map.
“Private ward on the fourth floor.”
Sofia stayed behind with Emma.
I wanted to argue.
But Alessandro refused.
“You're coming with me.”
We reached the fourth floor.
A single door stood at the end.
Alessandro opened it.
Daniel was inside.
Alive.
Older.
Thinner.
A scar crossed his jaw.
His wrists were bandaged.
He looked up.
And for a moment, nobody moved.
“Lena.”
I couldn't breathe.
Then I ran.
I crossed the room and struck his chest with both fists.
“You're alive.”
He caught me.
“I know.”
“You're alive!”
He held me tighter.
“I know.”
I cried against him.
“You let me bury you.”
“I had to.”
“You let Emma think you were dead.”
“I watched her from a distance.”
I pulled away.
“You watched?”
He nodded.
“For two years.”
“Why?”
“Because they would have found you.”
“Who?”
Daniel looked at Alessandro.
“The people who killed his father.”
Alessandro stepped forward.
“You knew my father.”
“Yes.”
“What really happened?”
Daniel sighed.
“I'll tell you everything.”
He explained that Lorenzo Moretti had created the Black Falcon organization to protect the family.
But over time, he became obsessed with control.
He built secret systems.
He bought officials.
He ordered disappearances.
Daniel discovered the truth.
He tried to expose it.
Then Lorenzo discovered Daniel's relationship with Lena.
“He realized Lena was connected to the Moretti bloodline.”
I stared.
“My mother.”
Daniel nodded.
“She was Lorenzo's sister.”
“Why did she hide me?”
“Because she knew he would use you.”
“And you?”
“I promised to protect you.”
“By disappearing?”
“Yes.”
I shook my head.
“That wasn't protection.”
Daniel lowered his head.
“I know.”
Alessandro interrupted.
“Who imprisoned you?”
“Raffaele.”
“But he died.”
“No.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Raffaele Moretti faked his death.”
Alessandro's expression changed.
“My uncle.”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
Daniel pointed toward the window.
“Closer than you think.”
A shot shattered the glass.
Daniel pushed me down.
Alessandro fired toward the roof.
Snipers.
Matteo rushed in.
“We've been surrounded.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Who?”
“Moretti's old guard.”
Daniel's face went pale.
“He found us.”
“Who?”
“Raffaele.”
The lights went out.
Emergency generators failed.
Darkness covered the room.
Someone entered.
A man whispered:
“Alessandro.”
The king froze.
Raffaele stepped into the doorway.
Older.
Calm.
Alive.
“You've grown into your father.”
Alessandro's gun rose.
“You killed him.”
Raffaele shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why did he die?”
“Because he betrayed us.”
“You betrayed him.”
Raffaele smiled.
“He betrayed himself.”
He looked at me.
“And now you've found the girl.”
I felt cold.
“What girl?”
Raffaele laughed.
“Your mother never told you.”
“What?”
“She wasn't Eleanor's daughter.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Lena…”
Raffaele continued.
“She was the daughter of the woman who started the Black Falcon.”
Alessandro looked at Daniel.
“Who?”
Daniel whispered:
“Maria Bennett.”
My mind stopped.
My mother was not Eleanor Moretti's sister.
She was something else.
Raffaele smiled.
“Your mother was the first heir of the Black Falcon.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“You inherited her blood.”
Alessandro stepped forward.
“What does that mean?”
Raffaele's eyes became cold.
“It means the empire was never yours.”
He looked at me.
“It was hers.”
He pointed at Daniel.
“And he spent two years hiding you because the moment the old families learned your identity, they would kill you.”
Alessandro stared at me.
“Lena…”
Raffaele smiled.
“And now they've found her.”
Gunfire erupted.
Raffaele disappeared.
Daniel grabbed my hand.
“Run!”
We escaped through the rear corridor.
As we reached the stairs, Emma's voice came through the radio.
“Mommy?”
I grabbed it.
“Emma!”
She was crying.
“Mr. Bunny is back.”
“What?”
Someone else spoke through the radio.
A man's voice.
“Hello, little queen.”
May you like
My blood turned cold.
Raffaele had taken my daughter.
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