Chapter 4 - Dante Admitted His Mother Had Helped Bianca’s Mother Escape, but He Never Expected to Learn What They Were Running From
Dante sat alone in the car.
Bianca watched him from the passenger seat.
“Tell me.”
He stared through the windshield.
“My mother had secrets.”
“About my mother?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it's true.”
Bianca crossed her arms.
“You're hiding something.”
“I remember fragments.”
“What fragments?”
“My mother arguing with my father.”
“When?”
“When I was fourteen.”
“About what?”
“A woman.”
Bianca knew.
“My mother.”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
Dante swallowed.
“She said your mother had to disappear.”
“Why?”
“Because my father wanted her dead.”
Bianca's chest tightened.
“Why?”
“Because she knew where the trust was.”
Bianca stared.
“She knew.”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“My mother never told me.”
Bianca looked out the window.
“Then we find her.”
They tracked the woman to an old convent.
Inside, a nun handed Bianca a letter.
From her mother.
Bianca,
If you're reading this, then the past has found you.
I'm sorry.
Bianca began crying.
The letter continued.
Your father wasn't a criminal. He was trying to destroy what our families had built.
Dante's father wanted control.
Dante's mother helped me escape.
She saved your life.
Bianca looked at Dante.
He was staring at another letter.
His mother's handwriting.
My son,
I left because I could not allow your father to turn you into him.
Dante closed his eyes.
Bianca moved closer.
He looked at her.
“I thought she abandoned me.”
“She protected you.”
“I know.”
She touched his hand.
“I'm sorry.”
He looked at her.
“So am I.”
They found one final document.
The trust's true purpose.
It wasn't about money.
It was about ownership of the original Moretti shipping network.
The person who controlled the trust could control billions.
More importantly, they could expose every person connected to the criminal side.
That was why Victor wanted it.
He didn't want money.
He wanted immunity.
If he controlled the trust, he could erase evidence.
Bianca whispered:
“He wants to own the truth.”
Dante nodded.
Then the lights went out.
A gunshot shattered the window.
Dante pulled Bianca down.
Another shot.
Someone screamed outside.
Dante drew his weapon.
“Stay here.”
Bianca grabbed his hand.
“Don't.”
He looked at her.
“I can't lose you.”
“You won't.”
They escaped through the rear corridor.
When they reached the street, Dante saw a familiar car.
Victor.
His uncle had found them.
The chase lasted twenty minutes.
They finally reached a safe house.
Inside, Bianca found a box.
Her mother's name.
Inside was a photograph.
Bianca as a child.
Dante beside her.
They had met before.
Neither remembered.
On the back:
They will protect each other.
Bianca looked at Dante.
“We were supposed to meet.”
“No.”
“We were supposed to know each other.”
He shook his head.
“Maybe we were supposed to choose.”
She smiled.
“You're getting sentimental.”
“I blame you.”
She laughed.
Then he kissed her.
No cameras.
No danger.
No excuse.
Just them.
When they separated, Bianca whispered:
“I love you.”
Dante closed his eyes.
“I love you too.”
A knock came.
Marcus.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We have a problem.”
“Victor?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Marcus handed him a photograph.
Rose.
Standing beside a man.
Dante recognized him.
His father.
Dead twenty years.
Bianca stared.
May you like
“Your father is alive.”
---
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