Chapter 7: The Truth About Lucy
The words remained hanging in the air long after Lorenzo stopped speaking.
“The child you’re protecting is the reason your entire family was destroyed.””
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
I looked down at Lucy.
She was still in my arms, her small fingers wrapped tightly around my shirt.
She didn’t understand the meaning behind Lorenzo’s words.
But she understood fear.
And that was enough to make my anger burn.
I turned toward my father.
“What does he mean?””
My father didn’t answer.
That scared me more than anything.
“Tell me.””
He looked at Lucy.
Then away.
“I was hoping you would never have to know.””
I stepped closer.
“You don’t get to decide that anymore.””
Elena’s face was filled with confusion.
“What are you hiding?””
My father sat down slowly.
For the first time, the powerful man who controlled everything looked old.
Tired.
“I made a mistake seven years ago.””
I waited.
“The night everyone thought I died…”
He stopped.
“I wasn’t running from my enemies.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Then what were you running from?””
He looked at Lucy.
“Protecting her.””
The room went silent.
My stomach tightened.
“Protecting Lucy?””
Elena looked shocked.
“But Lucy was born years after that.””
My father nodded.
“I know.””
He reached for the folder again and pulled out another document.
“I discovered something about Lorenzo before my disappearance. He wasn’t only trying to take control of the company.””
He placed the paper on the table.
“He was trying to erase my family.””
I looked at the document.
It was a report.
A private investigation.
Names.
Dates.
Then one sentence caught my attention.
*Lorenzo attempted to manipulate custody arrangements involving Vittorio’s daughter.*
My hands went cold.
“Why?””
My father looked at me.
“Because Lorenzo believed Lucy gave me a reason to keep fighting.””
I stared at him.
“That makes no sense.””
“It does if you understand him.””
My father’s voice became quiet.
“He believed anyone who had something to lose could be controlled.””
I looked at Lucy.
My daughter.
The person who had suffered the most while everyone played their games.
Elena wiped her eyes.
“So all of this…”
My father nodded.
“Started because Lorenzo wanted leverage.””
I turned toward Bianca.
“And you?””
She looked down.
“I was approached by Lorenzo two years ago.””
The room froze.
“You knew him?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did you come into my life?””
Bianca swallowed.
“At first, I thought it was just about money.””
Her voice became smaller.
“I thought I could help him get information.””
I stared at her.
“You used me.””
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt more than another lie.
“But then something changed.””
I almost laughed.
“What changed?””
She looked toward Lucy.
“She did.””
Lucy looked at her.
Bianca’s eyes filled with regret.
“I spent months trying to convince myself she was just part of a plan.””
She shook her head.
“But she wasn’t.””
Nobody spoke.
“I started seeing how scared she was. How she would apologize for things children shouldn’t apologize for.””
Her voice cracked.
“And I realized I had become someone I hated.””
I looked away.
I didn’t know if I believed her.
Maybe part of her regret was real.
But regret did not erase damage.
A loud sound interrupted us.
The front gate opened.
My father looked at the security monitor.
Lorenzo was walking toward the house.
“He’s coming inside.””
I immediately moved toward Lucy’s room.
“We’re leaving.””
My father stopped me.
“No.””
I looked back.
“What?””
“If you leave now, he wins.””
“I don’t care about winning.””
My voice shook.
“I care about my daughter.””
My father stared at me.
Then slowly nodded.
“You’re right.””
It was the first time I heard him admit that.
“We protect Lucy first.””
Minutes later, the front door opened.
Lorenzo walked inside.
Calm.
Confident.
Like he owned the place.
He looked around.
Then smiled.
“So everyone finally gathered.””
I stood between him and Lucy.
“What do you want?””
Lorenzo adjusted his coat.
“I want what should have been mine years ago.””
“My company?””
He smiled.
“No.””
He looked at Lucy.
My entire body went tense.
“I want the one thing your father never gave me.””
My father stepped forward.
“Don’t.””
Lorenzo ignored him.
“Respect.””
The room became silent.
Then Lorenzo pulled out a small envelope.
“And I have proof that will change everything.””
He placed it on the table.
I looked at it.
“What is that?””
May you like
Lorenzo smiled.
“The truth about Lucy’s birth.””
