Chapter 12: The Last Promise Isabella Made
Teresa Varric had faced enemies with weapons.
She had faced threats.
She had faced men who wanted the Varric name destroyed.
But nothing had ever made her look afraid like that phone call.
Liana noticed immediately.
“What happened to Isabella?””
Nobody answered.
Matteo stared at his mother.
“Tell me.””
Teresa remained silent.
“Mother.””
Her hands trembled.
A small movement.
But enough.
Matteo saw it.
“You know something.””
“Yes.””
The answer was quiet.
Too quiet.
Liana held her breath.
“What?””
Teresa looked at Matteo.
“Isabella didn’t die in an accident.””
The world stopped.
Matteo’s face went empty.
“What?””
“She was killed.””
No one spoke.
Not even the babies.
The room felt frozen.
“You knew.””
Teresa nodded.
“I suspected.””
“You suspected?””
Matteo’s voice broke.
“My wife died.””
“I know.””
“And you let me believe it was an accident?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
The same words.
Again.
Always the same words.
Protect.
Protect.
Protect.
But Matteo was tired of being protected by lies.
“Who killed her?””
Teresa looked away.
“I don’t know.””
“Another lie.””
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“I know who ordered it.””
Matteo stepped forward.
“Who?””
Teresa looked at him.
“The person who now wants the children.””
Silence.
The answer was obvious.
His uncle.
But Matteo needed to hear it.
“Why?””
Teresa swallowed.
“Because Isabella discovered the truth about the family.””
“What truth?””
“That the Varric empire was built on a secret.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“What secret?””
Teresa looked at the children.
“The children were never meant to inherit this life.””
Liana frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means Isabella wanted to end everything.””
Matteo stared.
“She wanted to leave?””
“Yes.””
“With Nico.””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t she tell me?””
Teresa looked at him sadly.
“Because she was afraid you wouldn’t let her.””
The words hurt.
Because Matteo knew there was truth in them.
Years ago, he would have fought.
He would have protected the empire.
He would have chosen power.
Before Nico.
Before Liana.
Before losing Isabella.
“I loved her.””
“I know.””
“Then why didn’t she trust me?””
Teresa’s voice softened.
“Because she loved you enough to know your greatest weakness.””
Matteo looked confused.
“What?””
“Your loyalty.””
The answer surprised him.
“You would burn the world to save your family.””
A pause.
“And she was afraid someone would use that against you.””
Daniel suddenly looked toward the window.
“Someone is coming.””
Everyone moved.
Matteo grabbed his weapon.
But before they could prepare, the front door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
Everyone aimed at her.
Then Matteo lowered his weapon.
Because he knew her.
A doctor.
The doctor who delivered Nico.
The doctor who signed the birth records.
The doctor who disappeared afterward.
“What are you doing here?””
She looked terrified.
“I came to tell you the truth.””
Matteo’s voice hardened.
“Everyone says that.””
She looked at the babies.
Then whispered:
“I switched the records.””
Liana froze.
The doctor continued.
“Your children were never supposed to be separated.””
Matteo stepped closer.
“Why?””
“Because Isabella asked me.””
The room went silent.
“Isabella knew?””
“Yes.””
“What did she know?””
The doctor looked at Liana.
Then Matteo.
“She knew someone would come for both babies.””
Liana’s eyes filled.
“She planned this?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
The doctor answered:
“Because Isabella knew she would not survive.””
Matteo closed his eyes.
The pain was immediate.
“She knew.””
“Yes.””
The doctor handed him a letter.
“She left this for you.””
His hands shook as he opened it.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Isabella.
His wife.
The woman he lost.
The woman who had been trying to protect them even after death.
The letter was short.
But every word destroyed him.
Matteo,
If you are reading this, then I failed to tell you everything.
I wanted to.
Every day, I wanted to.
But I knew you would choose war before choosing peace.
Please understand this.
I never hid the truth because I didn’t trust you.
I hid it because I loved you.
Matteo stopped reading.
Liana watched him.
Then he continued.
Our family was never meant to be built on fear.
The children deserve a different future.
Promise me you will not become the monster everyone expects you to be.
A tear fell.
The first tear anyone had ever seen from Matteo Varric.
Then the final line.
Protect them the way I always knew you could.
The letter slipped from his hand.
Outside, the first light of dawn began to appear.
But before anyone could speak, Daniel looked toward the road.
Headlights.
Multiple vehicles.
Approaching fast.
The doctor turned pale.
“They found us.””
Matteo picked up Nico.
Liana picked up her child.
For the first time, Matteo and Liana stood together.
Not as strangers.
Not as survivors.
As parents.
And when the doors shook from the force outside, Matteo whispered:
“Isabella wanted me to choose peace.””
May you like
He looked toward the enemy coming for his family.
“But first, I have to survive the war she tried to stop.””
