Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Had Her Face
The woman whispered, “Hello, Serena.”
Serena couldn't speak.
Roman raised his gun.
The woman didn't move.
“If you wanted me dead, you would have done it already.”
Roman lowered the weapon slightly.
“Who are you?”
She looked at Serena.
“My name is Sofia.”
Serena stared.
“Sofia Varelli.”
Her sister.
The missing twin.
Sofia smiled sadly.
“You look exactly like Mom.”
Serena's eyes filled.
“Where have you been?”
“Running.”
“From whom?”
Sofia looked at Roman.
“From everyone.”
Roman stepped forward.
“Who sent you?”
“No one.”
“That's not true.”
Sofia shook her head.
“You still don't trust anyone.”
Roman's voice hardened.
“I have reasons.”
“So does she.”
Sofia pointed toward Serena.
“Six years of marriage, and you still haven't told her the truth.”
Serena turned.
“What truth?”
Roman said nothing.
Sofia answered.
“Your marriage wasn't only about protection.”
Serena looked at Roman.
He closed his eyes.
Sofia continued.
“Your father had a ledger.”
“What kind?”
“Names. Judges. Police chiefs. Senators. Businessmen. Every person who helped him control the city.”
“And Roman has it?”
Sofia nodded.
“That's why they want him dead.”
Serena looked at her husband.
“You have the ledger?”
Roman finally spoke.
“No.”
Sofia laughed softly.
“Not anymore.”
She pulled a small key from her coat.
“This opens the place where your father hid it.”
Roman stared.
“Where?”
Sofia placed the key in Serena's hand.
“Your mother's grave.”
Serena recoiled.
“My mother?”
“She wasn't buried there.”
“What?”
Sofia stepped closer.
“Your mother is alive.”
The words destroyed everything Serena thought she knew.
Roman grabbed Sofia's arm.
“Where is she?”
Sofia looked at him.
“She has been waiting six years.”
“Where?”
Sofia's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
Then she handed the phone to Serena.
A woman's trembling voice whispered:
“Baby?”
Serena stopped breathing.
“Mom?”
Silence.
Then:
“Don't trust Roman.”
The line went dead.
Serena slowly turned toward her husband.
Roman didn't deny it.
Instead, he looked at Sofia.
“Get her out.”
Sofia's eyes widened.
“Why?”
Roman stared toward the window.
May you like
“Because they're already here.”
A shadow passed across the glass...
