Chapter 9: The Name Nobody Expected
I didn’t speak.
I couldn’t.
The words were simple.
Someone close to me.
Someone in my house.
Someone who had been there since I was born.
My mind started searching through every face.
Every person.
Every memory.
My mother sat across from me.
“I know what you’re thinking.””
“Do you?””
Her eyes filled with sadness.
“You’re wondering why we didn’t tell you.””
“Yes.””
“And you’re angry.””
“Yes.””
She nodded.
“You have every right.””
That answer surprised me.
No excuses.
No defense.
Just acceptance.
“Then tell me who.””
She looked at Adrian.
He shook his head.
“Not yet.””
My anger exploded.
“Not yet?””
I slammed my hand against the table.
“My wife tried to poison me. Someone attacked me. My daughter was threatened.””
My voice lowered.
“And you’re still protecting someone?””
Adrian didn’t move.
“I’m protecting you.””
“No.””
I pointed at him.
“You’re protecting a secret.””
The room went quiet.
Then my mother spoke.
“Your father made one mistake.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
“He trusted the wrong person.””
I waited.
“He thought blood meant loyalty.””
The words hit me.
“Lorenzo.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
I froze.
“No?””
She looked at me.
“Lorenzo is guilty of many things.””
“Then who?””
My mother reached into a drawer.
She pulled out an old envelope.
“My husband left this for you.””
I took it.
The paper was worn.
My father’s handwriting was on the front.
*For Vincent. Only when he learns the truth.*
My hands shook.
I opened it.
Inside was one page.
One sentence.
*The person who betrayed me is the person Vincent trusts most.*
I looked up.
“That’s it?””
My mother nodded.
“He wanted you to figure it out.””
I almost laughed.
“My entire life has been a puzzle?””
“No.””
Her voice softened.
“Your father believed the truth would only survive if you discovered it yourself.””
I read the sentence again.
The person Vincent trusts most.
Not loved.
Not feared.
Trusted.
My mind went through everyone.
Marco.
Impossible.
Sophia.
Impossible.
My security team.
Daniel.
My stomach tightened.
Vanessa.
No.
She was involved.
But she wasn’t the closest person.
Then another face appeared.
Someone who had been beside me through every major moment.
Someone who knew every weakness.
Every secret.
Every decision.
I looked at my mother.
“Tell me.””
She didn’t answer.
Because she knew I had already figured it out.
“No,” I whispered.
My mother closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
The room felt like it disappeared.
Because the person who had betrayed me wasn’t an enemy.
It wasn’t Lorenzo.
It wasn’t Vanessa.
It was the person who had helped raise me.
The person who taught me everything about loyalty.
The person who stood beside me when my father died.
I whispered the name.
“Daniel.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
Because I was right.
My phone suddenly rang.
Marco.
I answered.
His voice was urgent.
“Boss.””
“What happened?””
A pause.
Then:
“We found Daniel.””
My grip tightened.
“Where?””
“He’s at the airport.””
“Going where?””
Marco hesitated.
Then said:
“He’s leaving the country with Sophia’s medical records.””
My blood turned cold.
“Bring him back.””
“Boss…”
“What?””
“He already knows.””
“Knows what?””
May you like
Marco’s voice dropped.
“He knows you can walk.””
