Chapter 8 - The Woman They Thought They Could Break
Three weeks later, Dante and Elena appeared together at a charity gala.
For the first time in three years, they stood side by side without pretending to hate each other.
Rumors spread through the ballroom.
People whispered.
Dante Moretti and his wife were still together.
They had expected divorce.
They had expected scandal.
Instead, Elena wore a silver gown and held Dante's arm.
She looked happy.
Dangerously happy.
Across the ballroom, a man watched them.
He was older.
Elegant.
Gray-haired.
Unknown to most guests.
Dante saw him.
"Do you know him?"
Elena shook her head.
"No."
The man raised his glass.
Then disappeared.
Dante followed.
He found a private office.
Empty.
Only a folder remained.
Inside was a photograph of Dante and Elena in Maine.
On the back:
"Love made you predictable once. Let's see whether it makes you brave."
Dante's face hardened.
Elena took the note.
"This is for me."
"Why?"
"Because they think I'm the weakness."
Dante looked at her.
"You aren't."
She smiled faintly.
"I know."
The next morning, Elena received a message.
COME ALONE TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.
Dante wanted to stop her.
Instead, Elena said, "Let me go."
"Why?"
"Because whoever this is thinks I am still the frightened daughter who obeyed her family."
She looked him in the eyes.
"I want him to learn otherwise."
Dante followed at a distance.
Elena entered the greenhouse.
The gray-haired man appeared.
"Mrs. Moretti."
"Who are you?"
"Someone your mother knows."
Elena froze.
"My mother?"
"Ask her about the Whitaker Foundation."
"Who are you?"
"My name is August Bell."
He handed her a sealed envelope.
"Your mother has protected one secret from you."
Elena opened it.
Inside was a birth certificate.
She stared.
Then looked up.
"This can't be."
Bell smiled.
"Read it."
The name of Elena's biological father appeared.
Not Raymond Whitaker.
A man named Samuel Bell.
Elena went cold.
"You're his son."
"No."
Bell's expression softened.
"I am Samuel."
She stared at him.
"The man who was told your father died before you were born."
"But Raymond raised me."
"Because your mother was afraid."
Elena stepped backward.
"My entire life..."
"Was built on a lie."
Dante entered.
Gun raised.
"Step away from my wife."
Samuel smiled.
"Your father said you would be protective."
"You know my father?"
"He knew me."
Dante did not lower the gun.
"What do you want?"
"To end the war."
"By threatening Elena?"
"No."
He looked at Elena.
"By telling the truth."
Samuel explained everything.
Years ago, Raymond had not built the family empire.
He had inherited part of it.
Samuel had owned the other half.
Raymond betrayed him.
He also manipulated Evelyn into marrying him.
Elena had been born from a brief relationship Evelyn had been forced to hide.
Gabriel was Raymond's biological son.
Elena was not.
That was why Raymond had never treated her like family.
She was an asset.
A bridge to another bloodline.
The truth explained why Raymond had been obsessed with controlling her.
Dante looked stunned.
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
"Why did you wait?"
Samuel looked devastated.
"Because I was afraid."
She laughed bitterly.
"Everyone was afraid."
"Yes."
"And everyone used fear as an excuse."
Samuel nodded.
"You are right."
Dante stepped between them.
"What happens now?"
Samuel handed him another file.
"The remaining person behind the network."
Dante opened it.
A name appeared.
Evelyn.
Elena's face went white.
"My mother?"
Samuel nodded.
"She did not betray you."
"Then why is her name here?"
"Because she was the only person who knew everything."
Dante looked at the file.
There were photographs of Evelyn meeting judges.
Police officers.
Bankers.
Shipping executives.
Then another photograph.
Evelyn meeting Victor.
Elena shook her head.
"No."
Samuel touched her shoulder.
"She wasn't working for them."
"Then what was she doing?"
"Building a case."
Dante looked at the dates.
Every meeting happened months before major arrests.
Evelyn had been secretly collecting evidence.
The women in the family had been fighting the war differently.
Elena had protected Dante through her marriage.
Evelyn had protected Elena through the legal system.
Samuel had stayed hidden.
Gabriel had survived in secret.
And Adrian had died trying to bring the pieces together.
Dante closed the file.
"So the enemy is still out there."
Samuel nodded.
"Yes."
"Who?"
Samuel looked toward the greenhouse entrance.
"The man who taught Raymond how to build an empire."
An elderly man stepped inside.
Dante recognized him immediately.
He had seen him at every major charity event in Chicago.
Senator Julian Cross.
One of the most respected men in the city.
Dante's face hardened.
Cross smiled.
"Mr. Moretti."
Dante raised his gun.
Cross did not flinch.
"You cannot shoot me."
"Why?"
"Because your wife is standing beside you."
Elena looked at him.
Cross continued.
"I know what you are going to do."
He pointed toward her.
"You will protect her."
Dante answered.
"Always."
Cross smiled.
"Then we understand each other."
He walked away.
Elena looked at Dante.
"What now?"
Dante held her hand.
"Now we make him understand one thing."
"What?"
"She is not my weakness."
May you like
He kissed her hand.
"She is my reason."
