Chapter 7: The Truth About Sophie’s Mother
Roman remained standing in his office long after the call ended.
The silence felt heavier than the words.
*Your daughter’s mother didn’t die by accident.*
For years, Roman had accepted the official story.
A tragic illness.
A sudden decline.
A goodbye he never had time to understand.
But now every memory felt different.
Every detail had another meaning.
Marcus entered the room and immediately noticed Roman’s expression.
“What happened?””
Roman handed him the phone.
“The person who called knows about Sophie’s mother.””
Marcus looked at the screen.
“Did they identify themselves?””
“No.””
“Did they say anything else?””
Roman looked toward the window.
“They said she didn’t die by accident.””
Isabella, standing behind Marcus, went pale.
Roman noticed.
“You knew something.””
She looked away.
“Isabella.””
A long pause.
Then she whispered:
“I knew there were questions.””
“Questions?””
“Your wife’s death was investigated.””
Roman froze.
“My wife?””
Isabella nodded.
“The investigation was closed quickly.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because every person who tried to reopen it disappeared from the company.””
Roman stared at her.
“Who investigated?””
Isabella hesitated.
“Your father.””
An hour later, Roman opened another hidden box from the underground archive.
Inside were documents he had never seen.
Medical records.
Private investigation notes.
Letters.
His father had been searching for the truth long before Roman disappeared.
Marcus unfolded one report.
“This says your wife was supposed to meet someone the night before she died.””
Roman took the paper.
“Who?””
The name was covered.
Black ink had been drawn across it.
Someone had intentionally removed it.
Roman looked at Isabella.
“Can you restore this?””
She nodded.
“My father taught me how to recover damaged files.””
She scanned the document.
Minutes passed.
Then a name appeared.
Roman stopped breathing.
*Helena D’Angelo.*
His mother.
“No.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Sir…”
Roman shook his head.
“No.””
But the evidence continued.
His mother had met his wife.
Secretly.
Multiple times.
And the final meeting happened two days before the accident that changed everything.
Roman found Helena in the garden.
She was sitting beneath the old oak tree where Sophie used to play.
She looked peaceful.
Almost innocent.
But Roman no longer knew what innocence looked like.
“Why did you meet my wife before she died?””
Helena slowly looked up.
For the first time, she did not pretend.
“You found those files.””
Roman stepped closer.
“You lied to me.””
“I protected you.””
“You keep using that word.””
Helena sighed.
“Because you don’t understand what was happening.””
“Then explain.””
She looked toward the mansion.
“Your wife discovered something about your father’s company.””
“What?””
“She discovered Adrian was not working alone.””
Roman’s expression changed.
“Who else?””
Helena said nothing.
“Mother.””
Her eyes hardened.
“You think I wanted this?””
Roman laughed bitterly.
“You turned my daughter into a servant.””
Helena looked down.
“I kept her alive.””
The answer shocked him.
“What?””
Helena’s voice became quieter.
“After you disappeared, people wanted control of everything. Including Sophie.””
“Who?””
She looked at him.
“The same people who caused your accident.””
Roman felt his chest tighten.
“Then why did you tell Sophie I was dead?””
Helena’s eyes filled slightly.
“Because if she believed you were alive, they would use her to find you.””
Roman stared.
“You expect me to believe you saved her?””
“I did.””
A pause.
“But I also failed her.””
For the first time, Helena looked like a mother instead of an enemy.
“I thought keeping her afraid would keep her safe.””
Roman shook his head.
“She was three years old.””
“I know.””
Her voice cracked.
“I know.””
That night, Roman checked every security record from the night of the gala.
One detail bothered him.
The person who entered Sophie’s room.
Isabella’s name appeared.
But the footage showed something else.
A second person.
A shadow.
Someone had followed Isabella.
Roman paused the video.
“Marcus.””
They watched carefully.
The figure moved through the hallway.
Tall.
Male.
Wearing a dark coat.
Marcus looked closer.
“Do you recognize him?””
Roman zoomed in.
The face remained unclear.
But the movement was familiar.
Then the man turned slightly.
A ring caught the light.
Roman froze.
A family ring.
One he had seen his entire life.
“No…”
Marcus looked at him.
“Who is it?””
Roman whispered:
“My father’s ring.””
The next morning, Roman gathered everyone in the mansion.
Helena.
Adrian.
Isabella.
Marcus.
The atmosphere was tense.
Roman placed the security image on the table.
“I know someone has been hiding the truth.””
Nobody spoke.
Adrian smiled.
“You’re accusing your own family based on a blurry image?””
Roman looked at him.
“No.””
He placed another document down.
“I’m accusing someone based on everything.””
Adrian’s smile disappeared.
Roman turned toward Helena.
“Mother.””
Then Isabella.
“Fiancée.””
Then Adrian.
“Brother-in-law.””
He paused.
“Someone here knows what happened.””
Suddenly, Sophie appeared at the doorway.
“Daddy?””
Roman immediately walked toward her.
But before he reached her, Adrian moved.
Only one step.
But enough.
Sophie stopped.
Her face changed.
Because she recognized something.
“Wait…”
Everyone turned.
Sophie looked at Adrian.
“You were there.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
Roman froze.
“What did you say?””
Sophie pointed at him.
“The night Daddy disappeared.””
The room went silent.
“I saw him.””
Adrian stared.
“Sophie, you’re confused.””
“No.””
Her small voice shook.
“You told Grandma Daddy was not coming back.””
Roman felt the air leave the room.
Adrian slowly smiled.
Then whispered:
“That’s impossible.””
Sophie looked at Roman.
“Because you were there too, Daddy.””
Roman froze.
“What?””
May you like
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears.
“You just don’t remember.””
