Chapter 4: The Name Behind the Betrayal
Victor read the message three times.
*He's found the recorder. Move the boy tonight.*
The words glowed on the black phone in the dim storage room beneath the mansion. Somewhere above them, a grandfather clock chimed eleven.
Rosa stood beside the silver serving cart, one hand pressed against her mouth.
"Mr. Romano," she whispered, "what are you going to do?""
Victor didn't answer immediately.
He was staring at the name displayed beneath the sender's profile.
Isabella Romano.
His younger sister.
The woman who had helped raise Adrian after his biological mother died. The woman who had sat beside Victor at the hospital when his son was born prematurely. The woman who had promised, through tears, that she would never let anyone hurt the child.
And the woman who had recently returned from six months in Switzerland, claiming she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Victor gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
"Get Marcus," he said.
"Should I call the police?""
"Not yet. If Isabella knows we've found this phone, she knows we've found the messages. We need to know what she's planning before she realizes we've read them.""
Rosa nodded and hurried toward the stairs.
Victor remained beside the cart, replaying the recording in his mind.
Victor won't fight a decision he believes he made himself.
He understood the strategy now. Someone had been preparing documents to make Adrian's disappearance look like a legal arrangement. If Victor could be convinced that his son had been sent to a specialist school, a residential treatment center, or some supposedly necessary placement, the boy could vanish without anyone immediately suspecting a crime.
But why?
Victor owned hotels, shipping companies, and commercial properties across three countries. He had enemies who would happily pay to see him ruined.
Yet this plan involved his sister, his wife, and someone with intimate knowledge of his private life.
It wasn't about money alone.
Footsteps sounded overhead.
Marcus appeared at the bottom of the staircase, carrying a tablet.
"Sir, I've reviewed the recent camera activity. Mrs. Romano entered Adrian's room twice today. Miss Isabella also visited the family wing this afternoon.""
Victor's jaw tightened.
"Did she speak to Adrian?""
"According to the hallway audio, she told him you were considering sending him away.""
Victor closed his eyes.
His sister had looked his son in the face and used his greatest fear against him.
"Where is Isabella now?""
"In the west guest suite.""
"Bring her phone records, the security footage, and every document Thomas removed from my study. And Marcus?""
"Yes, sir?""
"Nobody leaves this estate without my permission.""
Marcus nodded.
Victor climbed the stairs.
He found Adrian sitting on the floor beside his bed, wearing his pajamas and holding the stuffed fox against his chest.
The boy looked up sharply when Victor entered.
"Am I in trouble?""
The question stopped Victor in the doorway.
"No.""
"Is Aunt Isabella angry with me?""
Victor crossed the room and knelt in front of him.
"Why would you ask that?""
Adrian looked at the stuffed fox.
"She said you were tired of me. She said you wanted a quiet life with Celeste, and I was making everything difficult.""
Victor felt his throat tighten.
"Did she say anything else?""
Adrian nodded.
"She said if I behaved tonight, I might be able to leave before you woke up.""
Victor held his son's gaze.
"Adrian, listen carefully. Nobody is taking you anywhere without my knowledge and permission. Do you understand?""
The boy's eyes filled with tears.
"Even if you get angry with me?""
"Even then.""
"Even if I break something?""
"Even then.""
Adrian lowered his head.
"I broke the plate because I was trying to hide the food. I thought if I kept some, I could eat it later when she wasn't looking.""
Victor felt as if someone had driven a knife between his ribs.
"How long have you been doing that?""
"Since spring.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Adrian's voice cracked.
"Because Aunt Isabella said you already knew. She said you thought I deserved it because I was difficult.""
Victor drew a slow breath.
"I never knew.""
"You say that now.""
Victor had no defense against those words.
He could have blamed his work, his travel, his endless meetings. He could have accused Celeste of being manipulative or Isabella of being cruel.
But none of those excuses would change what his son had learned.
That the people who were supposed to protect him could hurt him, then convince him that his father had approved.
Victor opened his arms.
Adrian hesitated before moving into them.
When the boy finally wrapped his arms around his father's neck, Victor held him with a desperation he could no longer conceal.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I'm so sorry.""
Adrian began to cry against his shoulder.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Victor heard a soft knock.
Marcus stood outside the open door.
"Sir, Isabella is asking to see you.""
Victor kissed the top of Adrian's head.
"Stay here with Rosa. Lock the door after I leave.""
Adrian caught his sleeve.
"Dad?""
Victor turned.
"Yes?""
"Please don't let Aunt Isabella take me.""
"I won't.""
He left the room with those words burning inside him.
Isabella was waiting in the formal sitting room, dressed in a black evening gown. A glass of champagne rested untouched beside her.
At forty-three, she had inherited their mother's elegant features and their father's ability to make people feel comfortable while revealing very little.
She rose when Victor entered.
"You're frightening the staff," she said.
"Marcus has been asking questions, and Celeste says you've accused her of abusing Adrian.""
Victor closed the door.
"Sit down.""
Her smile stiffened.
"Victor, I'm your sister.""
"And Adrian is my son.""
"Of course he is.""
"Then explain why you told him I wanted him gone.""
Isabella's expression changed.
Only for a moment.
Then she shook her head sadly.
"He's confused. Celeste told me he had become difficult, and I was trying to prepare him for a possible change.""
"What change?""
"Boarding school. A specialist program. Whatever you and Celeste decide.""
"I haven't decided anything.""
"Well, perhaps you should. The boy needs structure.""
Victor walked toward the sideboard and poured himself a glass of water.
"Do you know what's interesting about your advice?""
Isabella folded her hands.
"What?""
"You always seem to know about decisions I haven't made.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
Victor turned.
"It means I've heard the recording.""
The color drained from her face.
"What recording?""
"The one hidden inside Mother's silver cart.""
For several seconds, Isabella didn't move.
Then she reached for her champagne.
Her hand shook so badly that the glass struck the table.
Victor watched her carefully.
"You told Celeste to move my son tonight.""
Isabella's lips parted.
"Victor, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
She looked toward the door.
Marcus stood outside, his silhouette visible through the frosted glass.
Isabella lowered her voice.
"You don't understand what you've uncovered.""
"Then help me understand.""
She leaned forward.
"Celeste isn't the person you should be afraid of.""
Victor's stomach tightened.
"Who am I supposed to be afraid of?""
Isabella stared at him.
Then she whispered, "The person who owns the documents you've been signing.""
Before Victor could respond, every light in the sitting room went out.
May you like
A crash sounded from upstairs.
Then Adrian screamed.
