CHAPTER 7 — ELENA’S SECRET LEDGER
The handwriting on the photograph led Matteo to a safe-deposit box registered under Elena’s maiden name.
He went alone.
When he returned, he carried a red leather ledger.
Matteo, Liana, Tomas, and Dr. Hale gathered in the locked study after midnight.
The ledger contained dates, company names, shipments, and payments routed through false charities.
Saint Agnes Hospital appeared twelve times.
Liana found February seventeenth.
INFANT OXYGEN — DIVERTED TO EAST DOCK WAREHOUSE 9.
AUTHORIZED: C.D.
Her fingers trembled.
“Carlo DeLuca.”
Matteo said nothing.
Beneath the entry, Elena had written:
ONE CHILD DIED. LIANA GRAVES. SON: SAMUEL.
The room seemed to tilt.
“She knew my name.”
Matteo took the ledger.
Liana pulled it back.
“Your wife knew my son died because of this family.”
“She was collecting evidence.”
“She knew.”
“She was trying to stop it.”
“And you?”
Matteo’s voice hardened.
“I did not authorize the diversion.”
“But it happened under your name.”
“Yes.”
“You built the machine Carlo used.”
“Yes.”
“You gave him the power.”
“Yes.”
Each answer made her angrier because he did not defend himself.
Liana stepped away.
“I fed your son.”
“I know.”
“I comforted you while your empire killed mine.”
Matteo’s face tightened.
“I did not know.”
“Samuel is still dead.”
She left the room.
Matteo did not stop her.
Liana packed before dawn.
She placed her few dresses into the suitcase and folded the gray coat she had worn at the gate.
Nico slept in the crib.
She stood over him for a long time.
“I can’t stay,” she whispered. “Not because of you.”
When she turned, Matteo stood in the doorway.
“Move.”
“No.”
Her eyes flashed.
“You promised I could leave.”
“I did.”
“Then move.”
“The gates are not secure.”
“I would rather face the street than remain in a house built on my child’s grave.”
Matteo absorbed the words without flinching.
“Carlo knows we found something.”
“Then protect your son.”
“He cries for you.”
“That is not enough.”
“No,” Matteo said. “It isn’t.”
He stepped aside.
Liana lifted her suitcase.
As she passed him, he spoke.
“Elena was going to testify.”
Liana stopped.
“She contacted a federal prosecutor three days before the accident. Carlo found out.”
Liana turned slowly.
“You believe he killed her.”
“I believe he killed Elena to protect the empire I gave him.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m going to destroy it.”
A gunshot shattered the nursery window.
Matteo threw Liana to the floor.
Glass rained over them.
Nico woke screaming.
Tomas rushed into the room as another shot struck the wall above the crib.
Matteo crawled through broken glass, lifted his son, and covered him with his body.
Liana reached them.
Blood ran from a cut across Matteo’s shoulder.
“Is Nico hurt?”
“No.”
Tomas shouted into his radio.
“The shooter is on the north ridge!”
More guards ran through the hall.
Matteo looked at Liana.
“You can still leave.”
She stared at Nico’s terrified face.
Then she looked at the bullet lodged in the wall where the child had been sleeping.
May you like
Liana dropped her suitcase.
“Not tonight.”
