Chapter 2 - The Photograph That Made a Dead Woman Impossible to Forget
Matteo did not take Alina to a dark warehouse.
He took her to a mansion.
That somehow scared her more.
The DeLuca estate stood behind iron gates and layers of security, surrounded by tall cypress trees and stone walls. Security cameras watched every angle. Men with earpieces stood beneath covered walkways.
Alina sat in the back seat with Leo beside her.
Matteo sat opposite.
Neither spoke.
Leo had fallen asleep.
His little hand remained curled around the edge of Alina's cardigan.
She had tried twice to move away.
Both times the baby woke and cried.
So eventually she stopped trying.
Matteo noticed everything.
He watched her like a man trying to solve a puzzle.
When the car finally stopped, a woman in her fifties opened the door.
"Mr. DeLuca."
"Maria."
"Mrs. DeLuca is waiting."
Matteo's expression darkened.
"Not my mother?"
"She insisted."
Alina stepped out.
The mansion was beautiful in a way that felt almost cold.
Marble floors.
Huge windows.
Paintings.
Crystal chandeliers.
Everything perfect.
Nothing warm.
They entered a sitting room where an elegant woman with silver-blonde hair sat beside a fireplace.
Her name was Isabella DeLuca.
Matteo's mother.
Her eyes moved to Alina.
She stopped.
The color drained from her face.
"No."
Matteo looked at her.
"Mother?"
Isabella stood slowly.
She stared at Alina as though she were seeing a ghost.
"Where did you find her?"
Alina felt cold.
"You know me?"
Isabella ignored the question.
She stepped closer.
Her hand trembled.
"You look exactly like her."
"Like who?"
Isabella's eyes moved toward Leo.
Then back to Alina.
"Sofia."
Matteo went silent.
Alina's heart pounded.
"You knew my sister?"
Isabella looked at her son.
"What did you tell her?"
"I haven't told her anything."
"Then why is she here?"
"Because Leo won't stop reaching for her."
Isabella looked at the baby.
Something unreadable passed across her face.
"That's impossible."
Alina's voice sharpened.
"What is impossible?"
Isabella sat again.
"Seven years ago, Sofia Valdez disappeared."
"Yes."
"She was believed to be dead."
"Yes."
"Because that's what she wanted everyone to believe."
Alina's knees weakened.
"You knew she was alive?"
Matteo stepped forward.
"Mother."
But Isabella shook her head.
"She deserves the truth."
Alina looked between them.
"What truth?"
Isabella did not answer.
Instead, she said, "Maria, bring the box."
A few minutes later, Maria returned carrying a wooden chest.
Isabella unlocked it.
Inside were photographs.
Letters.
A hospital bracelet.
Several documents.
Alina stared.
Her fingers shook.
"Where did you get these?"
"Sofia left them with me."
Alina looked at Matteo.
He seemed genuinely stunned.
"You didn't know?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I thought she was dead."
Isabella looked down.
"You were supposed to."
Alina stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because men were looking for her."
"What men?"
Isabella hesitated.
"Men who wanted Leo."
Alina's gaze snapped toward the baby.
"What does Leo have to do with my sister?"
Matteo's expression changed.
"I thought we were here because you knew something."
"I don't know anything!"
"You recognized the bracelet."
"My sister had the same one!"
"And now my son has it."
"That doesn't make me part of your criminal family."
Matteo stepped close.
"No. It makes me think my son's mother knew your sister."
Silence.
Alina stared.
"His mother?"
"Sofia."
The room went absolutely still.
Alina felt as though the floor had disappeared.
"No."
Isabella closed her eyes.
"I knew this day would come."
Alina took a step backward.
"You're saying Sofia was Leo's mother?"
Matteo shook his head.
"No."
Alina stared.
"Then what are you saying?"
"She was the woman who saved his life."
That answer made even less sense.
Isabella reached into the box.
She pulled out an old photograph.
She handed it to Alina.
The picture showed Sofia standing beside a younger Matteo.
Sofia was smiling.
Matteo wasn't.
And in Sofia's arms was a newborn baby.
Leo.
Alina's vision blurred.
"When was this taken?"
"Nine months ago."
Alina stared.
"That's impossible."
"It isn't."
"Sofia disappeared seven years ago."
"She came back."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Because she couldn't."
Alina looked at the photo again.
Then she noticed the date handwritten on the back.
Three days before Sofia's reported death.
Her hands began to shake.
"What happened?"
Matteo said quietly, "My wife was murdered."
Alina froze.
"Wife?"
"Yes."
He looked at Leo.
"Clara was Leo's mother."
The photograph suddenly made sense.
Sofia hadn't been Leo's mother.
She had been protecting him.
But why?
And why had Matteo kept the photograph hidden?
Alina opened another envelope.
Inside was a letter.
Her name was written across the front.
Alina.
Her breath caught.
"This is for me."
Matteo's voice was low.
"Open it."
She broke the seal.
Only five lines were written.
Alina,
If you are reading this, then the one person I feared has finally found you.
Do not trust anyone who says I died.
Your sister, Sofia.
Alina covered her mouth.
She read the final line again.
I am sorry I left you.
Matteo watched her face.
"Who is the one person she feared?"
Alina looked up.
"I don't know."
Isabella whispered, "I do."
Matteo turned.
"Mother."
Isabella's expression had changed.
For the first time, she looked frightened.
"The one person she feared was your father."
Matteo's face became hard.
"My father died."
"No," Isabella said.
"He disappeared."
Alina felt the room tilt.
"Why would Sofia fear your father?"
Isabella stared at Leo.
"Because Sofia discovered what your family had done."
"Done to whom?"
"To her."
The fire crackled.
Nobody moved.
Then a gunshot shattered the window.
Matteo grabbed Alina and pulled her to the floor.
Glass exploded across the room.
Leo began screaming.
Matteo's guards drew weapons.
Alina held Leo tightly.
And somewhere outside, another shot rang out.
Matteo looked at her.
"The people who killed Sofia know you're here."
Alina stared at him.
"Then we're both in danger."
Matteo nodded.
"Yes."
He reached for Leo.
The baby refused to let go of Alina.
Matteo looked at the tiny hand gripping her sweater.
Something changed in his eyes.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Recognition.
"He's chosen you," Matteo whispered.
Alina shook her head.
"I don't understand why."
Matteo looked toward the shattered window.
"Neither do I."
May you like
But the letter in Alina's pocket told her one thing.
Sofia had known exactly why.
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