Chapter 8 - The House of Mirrors
Back at the estate, Rachel studied the recovered files.
Aldo’s network had survived for decades because it did more than steal children.
It traded in secrets.
A frightened politician might sign a contract if Aldo controlled the location of his missing daughter.
A witness might change testimony if his infant son had officially died.
A wealthy criminal could purchase a new identity for a hidden heir.
Children were not merely sold.
They were used as living leverage.
Matteo found his own name in one of the oldest files.
His father had discovered the network and tried to close it.
Three days later, he had died in what police called a boating accident.
Aldo had then taken control of the family and raised Matteo.
“He made himself my father after killing the real one,” Matteo said.
Rachel did not soften the truth.
“He shaped you into the man he needed.”
Matteo walked to the window.
“I built businesses for him.”
“I protected routes I believed carried money.”
“You didn’t ask what else they carried.”
“No.”
The admission cost him something.
Liana approached.
“Guilt will not bring the children home.”
“No.”
“But the truth might.”
Dante entered with a recovered voicemail from Elena.
It had been deleted from Luca’s server but preserved in an automatic backup.
Her voice filled the room.
“Matteo, if Luca tells you I died instantly, he is lying.”
“I survived the crash.”
“Simon Vale treated my injuries at a private clinic.”
“Aldo said Nico would die if I escaped.”
“I pretended to cooperate while I searched for the children.”
“Three weeks ago, I learned that Liana’s son had been taken.”
“I entered the estate to leave the ledger key.”
“I saw Nico for less than one minute.”
“When the alarm sounded, I could not take him without placing him in greater danger.”
Her voice trembled.
“I kissed his forehead and left.”
“That is why he began crying.”
“He saw me return from the dead.”
“Then he watched me disappear again.”
Matteo lowered his head.
Nico had not been crying only because of the transmitter.
He had been calling for his mother.
When Liana entered the foyer with Elena’s face, he believed she had finally returned.
May you like
The voicemail ended with coordinates and six words.
THE CHILDREN LEAVE BLACK HARBOR AT DAWN.
