Chapter 6 - THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Antonio Rossi arrived at the mansion that afternoon.
He walked through the front doors as though nothing had happened.
He smiled at the guards.
He shook hands with Lorenzo.
Then looked directly at Hunter.
His smile disappeared.
That was enough.
Lorenzo noticed.
“Uncle.”
Antonio turned.
“My boy.”
“You're alive.”
Antonio laughed.
“Of course I am.”
“You disappeared twelve years ago.”
“I needed privacy.”
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.
“Why were you in a photograph with Sophia?”
Antonio stopped smiling.
“Where did you get that?”
“Answer me.”
Silence.
Then Antonio sighed.
“Your father had enemies.”
“So did I.”
“No.”
Antonio looked toward the nursery.
“Your father had family.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“What did you do to my wife?”
Antonio shook his head.
“I saved her.”
“From what?”
“From you.”
Hunter felt the room change.
Antonio looked at her.
“And you.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Hunter stepped back.
Lorenzo moved between them.
“Don't look at her.”
Antonio smiled.
“You've always been protective of women who aren't yours.”
Lorenzo's fist tightened.
Antonio continued.
“Sophia was supposed to disappear permanently.”
“Why?”
“Because she discovered the truth.”
“What truth?”
Antonio looked at Leo's nursery.
“The Rossi family empire was built on stolen children.”
Hunter's heart stopped.
Antonio explained.
For decades, powerful families had paid enormous sums to obtain newborn heirs.
Children were declared dead.
Records were altered.
Mothers were told their babies had died.
The Rossi family had been involved.
Sophia discovered it.
She tried to expose them.
Instead, they threatened Leo.
Lorenzo stared.
“My son.”
“Your son was the last piece.”
Antonio smiled.
“He wasn't supposed to survive.”
Hunter's stomach turned.
“And Noah?”
Antonio looked at her.
“That was an accident.”
Lorenzo turned sharply.
“What?”
Antonio said nothing.
Hunter stepped forward.
“What did you mean?”
Antonio looked at her.
“Your son was used as a test.”
Her entire world collapsed.
“They were testing the poison.”
Lorenzo's face became murderous.
Antonio nodded.
“And Leo was the real target.”
Hunter's eyes filled with tears.
“You killed my baby.”
“No.”
Antonio's voice softened.
“Dr. Vale did.”
Hunter lunged.
Lorenzo caught her before she reached him.
Antonio smiled.
“You see?”
He whispered.
“That's why I needed you angry.”
May you like
Then the lights went out.
Gunshots exploded through the mansion.
