Chapter 9: The Mother Who Stole the Truth
Matteo Varric had spent his entire life believing betrayal came from outside.
Enemies.
Rivals.
Strangers who wanted power.
He never imagined the greatest threat would have the same last name.
The woman who taught him to walk.
The woman who held his hand after his father disappeared.
The woman who told him family was everything.
His mother.
Teresa Varric.
The woman who had been hiding the truth.
Matteo watched the footage again.
And again.
The words repeated.
“She cannot know she still has a son.””
Liana stood beside him, silent.
She did not ask what he was thinking.
She already knew.
Because she had seen the pain on his face.
Not anger.
Pain.
“You’re going to confront her.””
It was not a question.
“Yes.””
“Alone?””
“Yes.””
“No.””
Matteo looked at her.
“This is my family.””
“And this involves my child.””
The answer stopped him.
Liana stepped closer.
“I spent three weeks thinking my baby was gone.””
Her voice shook.
“I won’t stand in another room while someone decides my child’s fate again.””
Matteo looked at her.
For a moment, he saw something familiar.
Strength.
The same strength Isabella had.
The same refusal to break.
“Stay behind me.””
“No.””
“Liana.””
“No.””
She held his gaze.
“You can protect me from danger.””
A pause.
“But you can’t protect me from the truth.””
Matteo had no response.
Because she was right.
Again.
Teresa Varric was waiting in the family dining room.
As if she knew.
As if she had expected him.
She sat calmly at the long table.
Tea untouched.
Hands folded.
The picture of elegance.
The picture of innocence.
“Matteo.””
Her voice was gentle.
The same voice that used to comfort him as a child.
But now it sounded different.
Now he heard the secrets beneath it.
“Mother.””
She looked at Liana.
Then at Nico.
Her expression changed slightly.
Only slightly.
But Matteo saw it.
“You brought her back.””
“You knew who she was.””
Teresa did not answer.
That was enough.
Matteo walked closer.
“Why?””
A long silence.
Then:
“Because it was necessary.””
The words were worse than denial.
Liana stared.
“Necessary?””
Teresa looked at her.
“You don’t understand what you’re involved in.””
“You took my child.””
“No.””
The answer was immediate.
“I protected him.””
Liana’s face went pale.
“From what?””
Teresa looked at Matteo.
“From you.””
Matteo’s expression turned cold.
“You are going to explain that sentence.””
Teresa sighed.
“You always were too much like your father.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means you think power can solve everything.””
“And you think stealing children can?””
Teresa flinched.
Only for a second.
But it was enough.
“You don’t know what happened.””
“Then tell me.””
She looked at Nico.
“When Isabella found out the truth, she made a mistake.””
“What truth?””
Teresa’s eyes moved to Liana.
“Your son’s identity.””
Matteo’s voice lowered.
“Explain.””
Teresa stood.
“Years ago, your family made enemies.””
“Everyone knows that.””
“Not these enemies.””
She walked toward the window.
“Your father destroyed a powerful alliance.””
“And?””
“And someone waited for revenge.””
The room grew colder.
“Nico was the key.””
Liana frowned.
“How?””
Teresa looked at her.
“Because your baby was born into the middle of a war he never chose.””
“My baby?””
“Yes.””
She looked at Matteo.
“And so was yours.””
The words hung between them.
Matteo stepped forward.
“Where is Liana’s child?””
Teresa was silent.
“Mother.””
Finally, she whispered:
“Safe.””
Liana’s breath caught.
“Where?””
“I can’t tell you.””
Matteo’s anger erupted.
“You don’t get to decide that!””
For the first time, Teresa looked afraid.
Not of him.
Of what was coming.
“You don’t understand, Matteo.””
“No.””
His voice became deadly calm.
“You don’t understand what happens when someone takes my child.””
Teresa looked at Nico.
“He was never the target.””
Matteo froze.
“What?””
“The target was the other baby.””
Liana felt the floor disappear beneath her.
“Why?””
Teresa looked at her.
“Because your son carries the proof.””
“What proof?””
Teresa did not answer.
A sound came from the hallway.
A gunshot.
Everyone froze.
The lights went out.
Chaos exploded.
Guards shouted.
Glass shattered.
Someone screamed.
Matteo immediately moved toward Nico.
But before he reached him, another figure appeared in the doorway.
Holding a weapon.
Everyone aimed at him.
Then the man lowered the gun.
And Matteo realized who it was.
Daniel.
But Daniel was not looking at him.
He was looking at Teresa.
“You lied to them.””
Teresa’s face changed.
Daniel’s voice was broken.
“You told them the baby was dead.””
Liana stared.
“Daniel?””
He looked at her.
“I found him.””
Her heart stopped.
“My son?””
Daniel nodded.
“He’s alive.””
The room went silent.
Then Daniel said the words that changed everything:
“But he’s not the only child who was taken.””
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He looked at Matteo.
“Nico was stolen too.””
