Chapter 4: The Secret Witness
Vincent did not speak.
For several seconds, nobody in the room even breathed.
The voice on the phone repeated his name.
“Vincent, are you there?””
His grip tightened.
“Who is this?””
A pause.
Then the voice answered.
“It’s Marco.””
Every person in the room reacted.
Marco Bellini.
Carlo’s younger brother.
The former Moretti family accountant.
The man who had disappeared after accusing someone inside the family of hiding financial records.
The man everyone believed had died overseas.
Vincent slowly looked at Carlo.
The old servant looked away.
“You knew?””
Carlo whispered.
“I knew he was alive.””
Vincent’s eyes narrowed.
“And you never told me?””
“I was afraid.””
The voice on the phone interrupted.
“Vincent, you need to listen carefully.””
Vincent put the phone on speaker.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Why?””
“Because the people who hid the truth about Matteo are still protecting themselves.””
Everyone in the room became still.
Vincent looked around.
“Tell me what you know.””
Marco’s voice became quieter.
“I know your son was not the only child they controlled.””
A chill moved through the room.
Vincent looked at Alessandro.
“What does that mean?””
Marco continued.
“Your family had rules. Unspoken rules. Children were expected to obey.
Servants were expected to stay silent. Anyone who questioned them disappeared.””
Lucia’s face hardened.
“This is ridiculous.””
Vincent ignored her.
“Marco, what happened to Matteo?””
A long silence followed.
Then Marco answered.
“The night Matteo went to the hospital was not an accident.””
Elena covered her mouth.
Vincent felt his entire body go cold.
“What are you saying?””
“I’m saying someone wanted you distracted.””
“Who?””
“I don’t have enough proof.””
Vincent’s voice became sharper.
“Then why call me?””
“Because I found something.””
“What?””
“A second recording.””
Nobody moved.
Vincent stared at the phone.
“Where?””
“Hidden in the old family archive.””
Alessandro immediately looked toward the locked cabinets.
Vincent noticed.
“You know about this archive?””
Alessandro did not respond.
Vincent turned.
“Answer me.””
His brother looked defeated.
“Yes.””
“How long?””
Alessandro lowered his head.
“Years.””
Vincent laughed quietly.
The sound carried no happiness.
“Everyone knew.””
“No, Vincent—”
“Everyone knew except me.””
Nobody argued.
Because nobody could.
Marco’s voice returned.
“The recording will explain what happened that night.””
Vincent looked at the photograph again.
The image of Matteo beneath the table.
The image that had destroyed everything he believed about his family.
“Where is it?””
Marco hesitated.
“That is the problem.””
“What problem?””
“The archive was emptied yesterday.””
The room froze.
Vincent looked at Alessandro.
“Yesterday?””
Marco continued.
“Someone knew I found it.””
Vincent’s expression changed.
“Who?””
“I only saw one person leaving.””
“Who?””
Another pause.
Then Marco spoke.
“Your wife.””
Elena stepped back.
“No.””
Vincent looked at her.
The accusation hung in the air.
“Elena?””
She shook her head immediately.
“I didn’t take anything.””
Marco continued.
“I never said she stole it.””
Everyone stopped.
Vincent frowned.
“What do you mean?””
The voice became lower.
“I said I saw her leaving.””
A painful silence followed.
“She was carrying something.””
“What?””
“I don’t know.””
Vincent stared at Elena.
For years, she had been the person he trusted most.
But now every memory felt different.
Every conversation.
Every smile.
Every time she told him Matteo was fine.
Elena stepped forward.
“Vincent, you have to believe me.””
He looked at her.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then Matteo appeared at the doorway.
He had heard enough.
“Mom…”
Elena turned.
The fear on her face changed instantly.
Because Matteo was no longer the child hiding beneath the table.
He was the person who had kept the secret alive.
“Tell him,” Matteo said softly.
Elena froze.
“Tell Dad what you saw that night.””
Vincent looked between them.
“What did you see, Matteo?””
His son took a shaky breath.
“I saw who came into the dining room after everyone left.””
Nobody moved.
Vincent stepped closer.
“Who?””
May you like
Matteo looked directly at him.
And whispered a name Vincent never expected to hear.
