Chapter 5: The Brother Who Smiled Too Much
Ricardo didn’t confront Anthony immediately.
That was the difference between an angry man and a dangerous one.
An angry man acted.
A dangerous man waited.
For three days, Ricardo watched his brother.
Anthony came to meetings.
He joked with employees.
He brought gifts for Leo.
He acted exactly like the loving uncle everyone believed him to be.
And that made Ricardo sick.
Because every smile now looked fake.
Every word sounded rehearsed.
One evening, Anthony walked into Ricardo’s mansion carrying a small toy for Leo.
“Where’s my favorite nephew?””
Ricardo stood in the living room.
“Sleeping.””
Anthony smiled.
“That kid is lucky.””
Ricardo watched him carefully.
“Why?””
“Because he has people who love him.””
The words felt like a knife.
Ricardo poured himself a drink.
“You loved Isabella.””
Anthony’s smile disappeared for half a second.
Then it returned.
“Of course.””
“You visited her at the hospital.””
Anthony went still.
Only for a moment.
But Ricardo saw it.
“How did you know that?””
Ricardo walked closer.
“Does it matter?””
Anthony laughed softly.
“Brother, what is this?””
Ricardo placed the security footage on the table.
Anthony looked at it.
His face changed.
Not much.
But enough.
“You had me followed?””
“No.””
Ricardo leaned forward.
“I had the truth followed.””
Anthony looked at him.
“You think I killed Isabella?””
The question came out almost offended.
Ricardo didn’t answer.
Anthony shook his head.
“You’re insane.””
“Maybe.””
Ricardo stepped closer.
“But Isabella wasn’t.””
That stopped him.
Anthony looked away.
“What did she write?””
Ricardo noticed.
A normal person would ask what happened.
Anthony asked what she wrote.
“You knew she left something.””
Anthony remained silent.
Ricardo’s suspicion grew.
“You knew.””
Anthony finally looked at him.
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with.””
Ricardo smiled coldly.
“Then explain.””
Anthony walked toward the window.
“Isabella discovered things about this family.””
“What things?””
“Things that would destroy you.””
Ricardo’s expression hardened.
“My wife trusted me.””
Anthony turned around.
“Did she?””
The question hit harder than expected.
Ricardo stepped forward.
“Watch your mouth.””
Anthony looked almost sad.
“You always thought you protected her.””
“What does that mean?””
“It means Isabella knew the truth about you.””
Ricardo froze.
“What truth?””
Anthony smiled bitterly.
“The truth that your empire wasn’t built only on loyalty.””
The room went quiet.
Because deep down, Ricardo knew.
There were things Isabella never liked about his world.
Things she tried to change.
Things they fought about.
But she had never left him.
Never.
Anthony continued.
“She found out someone in your organization was selling information.””
Ricardo narrowed his eyes.
“Who?””
Anthony shook his head.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Understand what?””
“That Isabella wasn’t killed because she knew a secret.””
Anthony stepped closer.
“She was killed because she found out who was protecting the person who betrayed you.””
Ricardo felt his stomach tighten.
“Who?””
Anthony looked directly at him.
“You.””
The accusation was so shocking that Ricardo almost laughed.
Almost.
But Anthony’s face wasn’t mocking.
It was serious.
“You were the target, Ricardo. Isabella died because someone wanted to hurt you.””
Ricardo stared.
“Then why hide it?””
“Because she knew you would destroy everything looking for revenge.””
Anthony’s voice lowered.
“She wanted Leo safe.””
The mention of Leo changed the air.
Ricardo looked toward the hallway.
His son.
His reason to survive.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Anthony’s expression cracked.
“Because I was trying to protect you.””
Ricardo shook his head.
“No.””
He pointed at the footage.
“You were in her room.””
Anthony closed his eyes.
“I was saying goodbye.””
“To my wife?””
Anthony opened his eyes again.
And the sadness there almost looked real.
Almost.
Then his phone buzzed.
He checked the screen.
For the briefest second, fear appeared on his face.
Ricardo saw it.
“Who was that?””
Anthony locked his phone.
“No one.””
Ricardo reached out.
“Give me the phone.””
Anthony stepped back.
“No.””
Dante, standing near the doorway, noticed something.
“Boss.””
Ricardo looked at him.
Dante pointed at Anthony’s hand.
“He’s wearing the same watch.””
Ricardo stared.
The same watch from the hospital footage.
The same watch beside Isabella’s deathbed.
Anthony looked down.
Then smiled.
A smile Ricardo had never seen before.
Cold.
Empty.
“I guess the truth always comes back.””
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And then Anthony said something that made Ricardo realize the entire story was much bigger than his brother.
“Ask Clara who her father is.””
