Chapter 3 - The Hidden Passage Behind Sophia’s Crib Revealed That Someone Had Been Entering the Nursery for MonthsAlessandro opened the wall.
Behind it was a narrow corridor.
Dust covered the floor except for one section.
Fresh footprints.
Tiny.
Adult.
Someone had been walking there recently.
Richard examined the marks.
“One person.”
“Who?”
“Size eleven.”
Alessandro stared.
“Check every employee.”
Richard nodded.
They found the footprints belonged to Victor.
Alessandro went still.
His uncle had access.
He had keys.
He had authority.
He had been around Sophia every day.
“What has he been doing?”
Richard pulled security footage.
Victor entered the nursery three times in the last two weeks.
Always after midnight.
Always alone.
Alessandro watched.
Victor entered.
He looked around.
Then removed something from beneath the crib.
The same place where Mia had found the locket.
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“Find him.”
Victor was waiting in the study.
“You wanted to see me.”
Alessandro closed the door.
“Why have you been entering Sophia's nursery?”
Victor looked surprised.
“I check security.”
“At midnight?”
“Yes.”
“Through a hidden passage?”
Victor smiled.
“You found it.”
“Who built it?”
“Your father.”
“Why?”
“To protect the family.”
“From what?”
Victor's smile vanished.
“You ask too many questions.”
Alessandro stepped closer.
“What did you take?”
“Nothing.”
“Lie again.”
Victor remained silent.
Alessandro placed the locket on the desk.
“Where did this come from?”
Victor looked at it.
His face changed.
“Isabella.”
“Yes.”
“She left it.”
“When?”
“The night she died.”
Alessandro stared.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“You watched her die.”
Victor looked away.
“No.”
“What?”
“She wasn't supposed to die.”
Alessandro's voice lowered.
“Then what happened?”
Victor swallowed.
“Someone betrayed her.”
“Who?”
Victor said nothing.
Then a sound came from the hallway.
Mia.
She stood in the doorway.
Victor looked at her.
His face went pale.
The little girl raised Mabel.
“She doesn't like you.”
Victor stepped backward.
“What?”
Mia pointed toward the wall.
“She says you're the bad man.”
Alessandro stared at Victor.
Victor's composure shattered.
“She's hearing things.”
“Maybe.”
Alessandro moved.
Victor reached for his weapon.
Richard entered instantly.
Victor froze.
Alessandro's voice became ice.
“Put it down.”
Victor surrendered.
The search of his office revealed documents.
Payments.
Secret accounts.
Messages.
But the most important item was a photograph.
Victor.
Isabella.
And another woman.
Elena.
The date was two weeks before Isabella's death.
Alessandro looked at Elena.
“You knew Victor.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We worked together.”
“For Isabella?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did Victor want her dead?”
Elena shook her head.
“He didn't.”
“Who did?”
She whispered:
“Your father.”
Silence.
Alessandro looked at the documents.
His father had established an account.
Money sent to someone called The Widow.
Richard opened the records.
“Who is that?”
Alessandro looked at Elena.
She shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Mia appeared beside them.
She touched the paper.
“That's not a widow.”
Everyone stared.
“What?”
Mia pointed at the name.
“She says her name is Rose.”
Alessandro's face changed.
He knew that name.
Rose had been his father's adviser.
A woman who disappeared after Isabella's death.
“Where is she?”
Mia pointed upstairs.
“She's hiding.”
“Where?”
Mia walked toward the nursery.
She pointed at the same wall.
Alessandro opened it.
Another compartment.
Inside was a box.
Photographs.
Medical records.
And a letter.
From Isabella.
Alessandro,
if you're reading this, I'm probably dead.
His breath stopped.
Don't trust my death.
Don't trust Victor.
And don't trust the woman who calls herself Rose.
The letter continued.
Our daughter is not safe.
But the danger isn't what you think.
Mia will know.
Alessandro stared at the final line.
She sees what adults refuse to see.
He looked at the toddler.
Mia was holding Mabel.
She smiled.
And for the first time, Alessandro understood.
May you like
The child wasn't imagining ghosts.
She was noticing things everyone else had learned not to see.
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