Chapter 8: The Family That Betrayed Him
Matteo did not react.
That was what frightened everyone.
The guards knew his anger.
They knew his threats.
They knew the cold silence before violence.
But this was different.
This was the silence of a man whose entire foundation had cracked.
“My mother.””
Daniel nodded.
“I saw her.””
Liana looked between them.
“No.””
Daniel looked at her.
“I wish I was wrong.””
Matteo stepped closer.
“You are accusing my mother of kidnapping children.””
“I’m accusing her of helping someone who did.””
“Who?””
Daniel hesitated.
Matteo’s eyes became dangerous.
“Who?””
Daniel answered:
“Your uncle.””
The name hit harder than expected.
Matteo’s uncle.
The man who raised him after his father disappeared.
The man who taught him business.
The man who helped build the Varric empire.
A man Matteo had trusted for twenty years.
“No.””
Daniel shook his head.
“He was involved.””
“Why?””
“Because Nico is not just your son.””
Matteo stared.
Daniel continued.
“Years ago, your family made a deal.””
“With who?””
“With Isabella’s family.””
Liana looked confused.
“What deal?””
Daniel looked at Nico.
“A deal involving inheritance.””
Matteo’s expression changed.
“My family doesn’t need inheritance.””
“No.””
Daniel said quietly.
“But your enemies do.””
The rain outside grew heavier.
The entire world seemed darker.
Daniel continued.
“Your uncle discovered something about Nico before he was born.””
“What?””
“That Nico was connected to another powerful family.””
Matteo frowned.
“I don’t understand.””
Daniel looked at Liana.
“Because your son was never supposed to be part of this.””
Liana’s heart stopped.
“My son?””
Daniel nodded.
“The child they wanted was yours.””
She stared.
“Why?””
“Because your baby was born with information someone wanted.””
“That makes no sense.””
“It will.””
Daniel looked at Matteo.
“Your uncle believed controlling your child meant controlling you.””
Matteo’s hands curled into fists.
“My own family.””
“Yes.””
“And Isabella?””
“She discovered everything.””
“What did she do?””
“She contacted me.””
Daniel looked away.
“She asked me to protect the children.””
Liana’s voice was soft.
“Both children.””
“Yes.””
“Where is my baby?””
Daniel looked at her.
Pain crossed his face.
“I don’t know.””
The hope inside her shattered slightly.
“But you know he’s alive?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Daniel reached into his coat.
He pulled out a small device.
A recording.
Liana recognized the voice immediately.
Her own.
From the hospital.
Then a baby crying.
Then another sound.
A second baby.
Her hands covered her mouth.
“No.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Your child was moved before the funeral.””
“Moved where?””
“I don’t know.””
“Who took him?””
Daniel looked at Matteo.
“Someone who knew exactly how to make you believe he was gone.””
Matteo’s face became cold.
“My mother.””
Daniel did not answer.
He didn’t need to.
The silence confirmed it.
Later that night, they returned to the Varric estate.
But it no longer felt like home.
Not to Matteo.
Every hallway looked different.
Every room held a secret.
Every person could be an enemy.
The woman who raised him.
The family he built.
The people closest to him.
All possible betrayals.
Liana sat in the nursery.
The same nursery where Nico had cried.
The same room where everything began.
Matteo stood at the doorway.
“You should sleep.””
She looked at him.
“How can I sleep?””
He had no answer.
Because he knew.
He had not slept properly in months.
Liana looked down at Nico.
“He knew.””
“Who?””
“Daniel.””
Matteo stepped closer.
“What?””
“He knew where my pain was.””
The words confused him.
“What do you mean?””
“When Nico cried, I knew how to calm him.””
Matteo was silent.
“I thought it was because I lost my baby.””
She touched Nico’s hand.
“But maybe it was because he knew I lost someone too.””
Matteo watched her.
“You think children remember?””
“I think they remember feelings.””
The answer stayed with him.
Because Nico had recognized her before she knew why.
Maybe babies did not remember faces.
Maybe they remembered safety.
And somehow, this woman had become safety for his son.
A knock interrupted them.
A guard entered.
“Boss.””
“What?””
“We found something.””
Matteo followed him.
In the security room, a video played.
The estate entrance.
A woman entering.
Matteo stopped.
Because he knew her.
His mother.
Carrying a small bag.
Walking directly toward the nursery.
The timestamp showed one hour earlier.
Before they returned.
Before anyone knew.
Liana appeared beside him.
“What is she doing?””
Matteo watched the screen.
His mother entered the nursery.
She looked around.
Then she opened a drawer.
And removed a hidden envelope.
Matteo’s face changed.
“Zoom in.””
The image sharpened.
His mother turned slightly.
For one second, the camera caught her face.
And her lips moved.
She said one sentence.
A sentence that made Matteo’s blood run cold.
“She cannot know she still has a son.””
Liana covered her mouth.
Matteo stared.
Because now he knew.
May you like
The enemy was not coming for his family.
The enemy had already been inside it.
