CHAPTER 3 : THE BROTHER WHO STOLE A LIFE
Hours later, Grace sat in a private hospital room.
Dr. Wallace treated her injuries while Dominic listened.
Every word felt like a knife.
The night of the fire, Rose had survived.
Barely.
A loyal housekeeper had pulled her from the burning building.
But before Rose could contact Dominic, armed men arrived.
Men working for Victor Moretti.
Dominic's older brother.
"They told my mother she was dead to the family," Grace said.
"They said if she ever came back, both of us would be killed."
Dominic's hands curled into fists.
Victor.
His own brother.
The man who had comforted him after Rose disappeared.
The man who had helped raise him.
The man he trusted more than anyone.
Grace continued.
"Mom kept every letter she ever wrote you."
Dominic looked up.
"What letters?"
"They never reached you."
Grace handed him a worn box.
Inside were dozens of unopened envelopes.
Thirty years of birthdays.
Thirty years of anniversaries.
Thirty years of love.
Dominic opened one.
His hands shook.
Dear Dominic,
If you're reading this, then somehow we survived.
I never stopped loving you.
Not for a single day.
Tears blurred his vision.
The most feared man in Boston broke down.
Not because of violence.
Not because of betrayal.
But because thirty years of stolen life suddenly came crashing down on him.
Then Carlo burst into the room.
"We found the men from the flower shop."
Dominic stood.
"And?"
Carlo hesitated.
"They weren't working for Harbor Crew."
"Who sent them?"
Carlo swallowed.
"They were paid by Anthony."
Dominic's blood turned cold.
Anthony.
His nephew.
Victor's son.
The same man who had gone pale when he saw Rose's locket.
The same man who knew the truth.
The same man who had tried to silence Grace.
Dominic realized something horrifying.
Victor hadn't acted alone.
May you like
The betrayal had lasted for generations.
TO BE CONTINUED...
