Chapter 9: The Father L## Chapter 9: The Father Livia Never Knew
Alessandro read the note againivia Never Knew
Alessandro read the note again.
Otherwise, the girl learns what happened to her real father.
Daniel stood beside him, staring at the photograph of L.
Otherwise, the girl learns what happened to her real father.
Daniel stood beside him, staring at the photograph of Livia asleep in her bed.
“She's using the one thing you can't protect Livia from,” he said.
“The truth.””
Alessandro folded the note.
“No. She's using the fearivia asleep in her bed.
“She's using the one thing you can't protect Livia from,” he said.
“The truth.””
Alessandro folded the note.
“No. She's using the fear that the truth will hurt her.””
He turned to Daniel.
“Find out who Bianca thinks Livia's father is.””
Daniel shook his head.
“I've spent years looking for answers about my own identity that the truth will hurt her.””
He turned to Daniel.
“Find out who Bianca thinks Livia's father is.””
Daniel shook his head.
“I've spent years looking for answers about my own identity. Bianca never mentioned Rosalie's pregnancy until recently. But I found a payment to a man named Thomas Vane in her financial records.””
Alessandro stopped.
“Vane?””
“Marcus's younger brother.””
I felt my chest tighten. Bianca never mentioned Rosalie's pregnancy until recently. But I found a payment to a man named Thomas Vane in her financial records.””
Alessandro stopped.
“Vane?””
“Marcus's younger brother.””
I felt my chest tighten when they told me.
Thomas.
I hadn't heard that name in years, but the memory returned immediately.
A small apartment in Boston. Rain against the windows. A man who had promised to call me the next morning and never did.
I had met Thomas Vane at a charity fundraiser seven when they told me.
Thomas.
I hadn't heard that name in years, but the memory returned immediately.
A small apartment in Boston. Rain against the windows. A man who had promised to call me the next morning and never did.
I had met Thomas Vane at a charity fundraiser seven years earlier, before Livia was born. He was charming, ambitious, and eager to impress everyone in the room. We dated for several weeks, but I ended the relationship after discovering that he'd lied about his job and his finances.
When I years earlier, before Livia was born. He was charming, ambitious, and eager to impress everyone in the room. We dated for several weeks, but I ended the relationship after discovering that he'd lied about his job and his finances.
When I found out I was pregnant, I called him.
His number had been disconnected.
I sent a letter to the address he'd given me.
It came back unopened.
I had no idea his brother was Marcus Vane.
Alessandro listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he asked found out I was pregnant, I called him.
His number had been disconnected.
I sent a letter to the address he'd given me.
It came back unopened.
I had no idea his brother was Marcus Vane.
Alessandro listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he asked, “Did Thomas ever threaten you?””
“No. He disappeared before I knew I was pregnant.””
“Did he know about Livia?””
“I don't think so.””
Daniel looked troubled.
“Bianca may have found out through Thomas. Or she may have discovered the relationship while searching your records.””
Alessandro, “Did Thomas ever threaten you?””
“No. He disappeared before I knew I was pregnant.””
“Did he know about Livia?””
“I don't think so.””
Daniel looked troubled.
“Bianca may have found out through Thomas. Or she may have discovered the relationship while searching your records.””
Alessandro paced the room.
“If Thomas is Livia's father, that doesn't give Bianca any right to threaten her.””
“Of course not,” I said.
“But we need to know whether Thomas is alive, whether he has any connection to the forged documents, and what Bianca knows paced the room.
“If Thomas is Livia's father, that doesn't give Bianca any right to threaten her.””
“Of course not,” I said.
“But we need to know whether Thomas is alive, whether he has any connection to the forged documents, and what Bianca knows.””
Daniel took out his phone.
“I have a contact who can trace him.””
He made a call and stepped into the corridor.
Alessandro sat beside me.
“Rosalie, I need you to understand something.””
I looked at him.
“I don't care who Livia's biological father is. I care that.””
Daniel took out his phone.
“I have a contact who can trace him.””
He made a call and stepped into the corridor.
Alessandro sat beside me.
“Rosalie, I need you to understand something.””
I looked at him.
“I don't care who Livia's biological father is. I care that someone is using her identity to control this family.””
Tears burned my eyes.
“You've been so good to her.””
“She's my daughter in every way that matters.””
He took my hand.
“Nothing Bianca reveals can change someone is using her identity to control this family.””
Tears burned my eyes.
“You've been so good to her.””
“She's my daughter in every way that matters.””
He took my hand.
“Nothing Bianca reveals can change that.””
I wanted to believe him.
Then Daniel returned.
His face told us everything before he spoke.
“Thomas Vane is dead.””
I gripped Alessandro's hand.
“How?””
“An apparent overdose four years ago. But the official report contains inconsistencies. He that.””
I wanted to believe him.
Then Daniel returned.
His face told us everything before he spoke.
“Thomas Vane is dead.””
I gripped Alessandro's hand.
“How?””
“An apparent overdose four years ago. But the official report contains inconsistencies. He was found in a hotel room, and his death was investigated briefly before the case was closed.””
Alessandro stood.
“Did he have any children?””
“Records show none. But his financial accounts reveal a payment made to Bianca Laurent six months before his death.””
“How much?””
“Two was found in a hotel room, and his death was investigated briefly before the case was closed.””
Alessandro stood.
“Did he have any children?””
“Records show none. But his financial accounts reveal a payment made to Bianca Laurent six months before his death.””
“How much?””
“Two hundred thousand dollars.””
The room went silent.
“Why would Thomas pay Bianca?”” I asked.
Daniel looked at the documents on his phone.
“The payment was described as a settlement.””
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“A settlement for what?””
“I don't know. But the transfer was hundred thousand dollars.””
The room went silent.
“Why would Thomas pay Bianca?”” I asked.
Daniel looked at the documents on his phone.
“The payment was described as a settlement.””
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“A settlement for what?””
“I don't know. But the transfer was arranged by Marcus.””
I closed my eyes.
Thomas had disappeared from my life before Livia was born. Four years later, he had died. Somewhere in between, he had paid Bianca arranged by Marcus.””
I closed my eyes.
Thomas had disappeared from my life before Livia was born. Four years later, he had died. Somewhere in between, he had paid Bianca a fortune.
And now Bianca was threatening to expose something about Livia's father.
“There's only one way to find out,” I said.
“We ask Bianca.””
Alessandro looked at me.
“She won't tell us anything without trying to bargain.””
“Then let her bargain.””
He a fortune.
And now Bianca was threatening to expose something about Livia's father.
“There's only one way to find out,” I said.
“We ask Bianca.””
Alessandro looked at me.
“She won't tell us anything without trying to bargain.””
“Then let her bargain.””
He hesitated.
“No.””
“Alessandro, she has already used my daughter to threaten you. If we let her control when we learn the truth, she'll keep doing it.””
He studied my face.
Finally, he nodded.
“But you won't meet her alone.””
hesitated.
“No.””
“Alessandro, she has already used my daughter to threaten you. If we let her control when we learn the truth, she'll keep doing it.””
He studied my face.
Finally, he nodded.
“But you won't meet her alone.””
At eight that evening, Bianca sat in a private conference room at the estate, guarded by two officers while her attorney waited outside.
She wore a simple black dress and had removed her engagement ring.
Without the diamonds, she looked less likeAt eight that evening, Bianca sat in a private conference room at the estate, guarded by two officers while her attorney waited outside.
She wore a simple black dress and had removed her engagement ring.
Without the diamonds, she looked less like a bride and more like a woman who had run out of ways to pretend she was innocent.
When I entered, she smiled.
“Rosalie. I wondered when you'd come to see me.””
I sat across from her.
“Tell me about Thomas Vane.””
Her smile disappeared.
For a bride and more like a woman who had run out of ways to pretend she was innocent.
When I entered, she smiled.
“Rosalie. I wondered when you'd come to see me.””
I sat across from her.
“Tell me about Thomas Vane.””
Her smile disappeared.
For the first time since I'd met her, Bianca looked genuinely surprised.
“Who told you that name?””
“Answer the question.””
She leaned back.
“Thomas was a troubled man.””
“Was the first time since I'd met her, Bianca looked genuinely surprised.
“Who told you that name?””
“Answer the question.””
She leaned back.
“Thomas was a troubled man.””
“Was he Livia's father?””
Bianca studied me.
Then she laughed softly.
“You really don't know, do you?””
Alessandro entered the room and took the chair beside me.
“Answer her.””
Bianca's eyes flicked toward him.
“Thomas Vane was Livia's biological father. Yes.””
he Livia's father?””
Bianca studied me.
Then she laughed softly.
“You really don't know, do you?””
Alessandro entered the room and took the chair beside me.
“Answer her.””
Bianca's eyes flicked toward him.
“Thomas Vane was Livia's biological father. Yes.””
My stomach twisted, even though I had already suspected it.
“How did you know?””
“Marcus told me. Thomas was his brother, and Marcus knew everything about his private life.””
“Did Thomas know I was pregnant?””
Bianca tilted her head.
“He found out eventually.””
“WhenMy stomach twisted, even though I had already suspected it.
“How did you know?””
“Marcus told me. Thomas was his brother, and Marcus knew everything about his private life.””
“Did Thomas know I was pregnant?””
Bianca tilted her head.
“He found out eventually.””
“When?””
“After Livia was born.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't he contact me?””
“Because he was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of Marcus. Of his debts. Of the people?””
“After Livia was born.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't he contact me?””
“Because he was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of Marcus. Of his debts. Of the people he owed money to.””
Bianca folded her hands on the table.
“Thomas had borrowed millions from dangerous people. Marcus helped him hide the money, but when Thomas couldn't repay it, the he owed money to.””
Bianca folded her hands on the table.
“Thomas had borrowed millions from dangerous people. Marcus helped him hide the money, but when Thomas couldn't repay it, the debt became a problem.””
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“And you became involved because?””
“Because Marcus offered me a solution.””
“What solution?””
She smiled debt became a problem.””
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“And you became involved because?””
“Because Marcus offered me a solution.””
“What solution?””
She smiled without warmth.
“Marry a wealthy man. Gain access to his estate. Use the money to settle Thomas's debts.””
I felt sick.
“You planned to marry Alessandro for money.””
“Of without warmth.
“Marry a wealthy man. Gain access to his estate. Use the money to settle Thomas's debts.””
I felt sick.
“You planned to marry Alessandro for money.””
“Of course I did.””
The bluntness of her answer stunned me.
She leaned forward.
“Did you honestly think I fell in love with a man who spends half his life in boardrooms and the other half pretending to be a grieving widower?””
Alessandro didn't react.
Bianca continued.
course I did.””
The bluntness of her answer stunned me.
She leaned forward.
“Did you honestly think I fell in love with a man who spends half his life in boardrooms and the other half pretending to be a grieving widower?””
Alessandro didn't react.
Bianca continued.
“Thomas was supposed to receive a portion of the money after the wedding. But he died before the arrangement was completed.””
“Did you kill him?”” I asked.
Her face changed.
“No.””
“Then why did you pay him?””
“I didn't. Marcus“Thomas was supposed to receive a portion of the money after the wedding. But he died before the arrangement was completed.””
“Did you kill him?”” I asked.
Her face changed.
“No.””
“Then why did you pay him?””
“I didn't. Marcus paid me to keep quiet about his debts.””
Alessandro placed a copy of the bank transfer on the table.
“Two hundred thousand dollars.””
Bianca glanced at it.
“Protection paid me to keep quiet about his debts.””
Alessandro placed a copy of the bank transfer on the table.
“Two hundred thousand dollars.””
Bianca glanced at it.
“Protection money.””
“Protection from whom?””
“From Marcus.””
She looked at me.
“Thomas was going to tell you about the debts. He was going to ask money.””
“Protection from whom?””
“From Marcus.””
She looked at me.
“Thomas was going to tell you about the debts. He was going to ask for custody of Livia. Marcus couldn't allow that to happen because Thomas had discovered that the money he'd been borrowing was being used to fund a much larger scheme.””
“What scheme?”” Alessandro demanded.
Bianca's expression hardened.
“The scheme to take control of the Moretti trust.””
Alessandro went still.
Bi for custody of Livia. Marcus couldn't allow that to happen because Thomas had discovered that the money he'd been borrowing was being used to fund a much larger scheme.””
“What scheme?”” Alessandro demanded.
Bianca's expression hardened.
“The scheme to take control of the Moretti trust.””
Alessandro went still.
Bianca nodded.
“Marcus believed your family trust was vulnerable because Daniel had died without a recognized heir. If he could make you doubt your own family, forge documents, and gain access to your estate, he could control the trust through me.””
Daniel steppedanca nodded.
“Marcus believed your family trust was vulnerable because Daniel had died without a recognized heir. If he could make you doubt your own family, forge documents, and gain access to your estate, he could control the trust through me.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“And where did I fit into that plan?””
“You were an inconvenience,” Bianca replied.
“Your father should never have told anyone you existed.””
Daniel's face tightened.
Bianca turned back to me.
“Thomas was supposed to help us establish a legal forward.
“And where did I fit into that plan?””
“You were an inconvenience,” Bianca replied.
“Your father should never have told anyone you existed.””
Daniel's face tightened.
Bianca turned back to me.
“Thomas was supposed to help us establish a legal claim through Livia. But he died, and the plan changed. Marcus decided it would be easier to convince Alessandro that Livia wasn't his daughter in any meaningful sense.””
I stared claim through Livia. But he died, and the plan changed. Marcus decided it would be easier to convince Alessandro that Livia wasn't his daughter in any meaningful sense.””
I stared at her.
“You were going to send a seven-year-old away because she was inconvenient.””
“She was a complication.””
“She is at her.
“You were going to send a seven-year-old away because she was inconvenient.””
“She was a complication.””
“She is a child!””
Bianca struck the table with her palm.
“And she was going to ruin everything!””
The officers outside the door moved closer.
Alessandro stood.
“That's enough.””
But I wasn't finished.
“What did Thomas want from a child!””
Bianca struck the table with her palm.
“And she was going to ruin everything!””
The officers outside the door moved closer.
Alessandro stood.
“That's enough.””
But I wasn't finished.
“What did Thomas want from Livia?””
Bianca's breathing became uneven.
“He wanted to meet her.””
“When?””
“Before he died.””
“Did he ever see her?””
Bianca looked away.
“Once.””
My heart stopped.
“Where?””
“At a park in Boston. She was Livia?””
Bianca's breathing became uneven.
“He wanted to meet her.””
“When?””
“Before he died.””
“Did he ever see her?””
Bianca looked away.
“Once.””
My heart stopped.
“Where?””
“At a park in Boston. She was a baby. He watched you carry her through the gate.””
I struggled to breathe.
Thomas had been alive. He had known where we were. He could have approached me, asked to see his daughter, or at a baby. He watched you carry her through the gate.””
I struggled to breathe.
Thomas had been alive. He had known where we were. He could have approached me, asked to see his daughter, or at least left a message.
Instead, he had watched from a distance and disappeared again.
“Why didn't he come forward?””
“Because Marcus threatened to expose his debts and send him to prison.””
“And you let him die without telling me.””
Bianca's face hardened.
“I owed least left a message.
Instead, he had watched from a distance and disappeared again.
“Why didn't he come forward?””
“Because Marcus threatened to expose his debts and send him to prison.””
“And you let him die without telling me.””
Bianca's face hardened.
“I owed him nothing.””
For the first time, I understood how someone could look at a frightened child and see only an obstacle.
I stood.
“You will never come near Livia again.””
Bianca laughed bitterly.
“You can't stop the truth from reaching her.””
“No,” I him nothing.””
For the first time, I understood how someone could look at a frightened child and see only an obstacle.
I stood.
“You will never come near Livia again.””
Bianca laughed bitterly.
“You can't stop the truth from reaching her.””
“No,” I said.
“But I can make sure she hears it from someone who loves her.””
I turned toward the door.
Then Bianca spoke again.
“There's something else you should said.
“But I can make sure she hears it from someone who loves her.””
I turned toward the door.
Then Bianca spoke again.
“There's something else you should know.””
I stopped.
“Thomas left a letter for Livia.””
Alessandro turned sharply.
“Where is it?””
“Marcus has it.””
“Where?””
Bianca smiled.
“In the same place where he keeps know.””
I stopped.
“Thomas left a letter for Livia.””
Alessandro turned sharply.
“Where is it?””
“Marcus has it.””
“Where?””
Bianca smiled.
“In the same place where he keeps the original trust documents.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Tell us.””
Bianca shook her head.
“Not without a deal.””
Alessandro's voice was ice.
“You're in no position to negotiate.””
“Then you'll never find it.””
I looked at her.
“What do you want?””
She the original trust documents.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Tell us.””
Bianca shook her head.
“Not without a deal.””
Alessandro's voice was ice.
“You're in no position to negotiate.””
“Then you'll never find it.””
I looked at her.
“What do you want?””
She met my eyes.
“I want immunity for everything I've done.””
Alessandro laughed once, without humor.
“You forged documents, threatened a child, and conspired to commit fraud. You don't get immunity because you have one more secret.””
Bianca leaned forward.
“Then Livia will never know met my eyes.
“I want immunity for everything I've done.””
Alessandro laughed once, without humor.
“You forged documents, threatened a child, and conspired to commit fraud. You don't get immunity because you have one more secret.””
Bianca leaned forward.
“Then Livia will never know what her father wanted to tell her.””
Before anyone could respond, an officer entered the room with a phone in his hand.
“Mr. Moretti, we've received a call from the police in Boston.””
Alessandro turned.
“What happened?””
“They searched Marcus Vane's apartment what her father wanted to tell her.””
Before anyone could respond, an officer entered the room with a phone in his hand.
“Mr. Moretti, we've received a call from the police in Boston.””
Alessandro turned.
“What happened?””
“They searched Marcus Vane's apartment.””
“And?””
The officer glanced at me.
“They found Thomas Vane's missing financial records. But Marcus wasn't there.””
Daniel's phone began ringing.
He answered.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel, it's Marcus.””
.””
“And?””
The officer glanced at me.
“They found Thomas Vane's missing financial records. But Marcus wasn't there.””
Daniel's phone began ringing.
He answered.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel, it's Marcus.””
Daniel's face went pale.
Marcus continued.
“If you want Thomas's letter, come to the old Moretti warehouse alone.””
Alessandro reached for the phone.
“Marcus,Daniel's face went pale.
Marcus continued.
“If you want Thomas's letter, come to the old Moretti warehouse alone.””
Alessandro reached for the phone.
“Marcus, this is Alessandro Moretti. You're not going anywhere.””
Marcus laughed.
“Then you may want to tell your nephew why his father never got to meet his daughter.””
The call ended.
And on Daniel's screen, a new message appeared this is Alessandro Moretti. You're not going anywhere.””
Marcus laughed.
“Then you may want to tell your nephew why his father never got to meet his daughter.””
The call ended.
And on Daniel's screen, a new message appeared.
It contained a photograph of a locked metal box.
Inside the box, visible through a narrow gap, was a letter bearing my name.
And beneath it was Livia's silver locket.
.
It contained a photograph of a locked metal box.
May you like
Inside the box, visible through a narrow gap, was a letter bearing my name.
And beneath it was Livia's silver locket.
