Chapter 11 - The Night Beatrice Disappeared
The darkness lasted only seconds.
But seconds were enough.
When the emergency lights came on, Evelyn was gone.
So was Leo.
Dominic turned toward me.
“Where's my son?”
“I don't know.”
He looked at the guards.
“Seal every exit.”
I ran toward the chapel door.
Dominic caught me.
“Don't.”
“Leo is gone.”
“I'll find him.”
“You can't do this without me.”
He stared at me.
Then his phone rang.
A video appeared.
Leo was sitting in a room.
He wasn't crying.
Beside him stood a man.
The man's face was hidden.
The voice came through the speaker.
“Bring Beatrice.”
Dominic said nothing.
The man continued.
“Alone.”
Then the video ended.
Dominic looked at me.
“No.”
I knew what he was thinking.
“No,” I repeated.
“I said you're staying here.”
“I won't.”
“Beatrice.”
“If they want me, I'll go.”
“No.”
“You don't get to decide.”
His jaw tightened.
“They want to kill you.”
“Then protect me.”
Silence.
He stepped closer.
“Do you know what happens if I lose you?”
I stared at him.
His eyes were no longer cold.
“I can't lose another person.”
My chest tightened.
“I haven't gone anywhere.”
“Not yet.”
He touched my cheek.
The gesture was gentle.
Almost uncertain.
Then he pulled away.
“We'll do this together.”
We followed the instructions.
An old warehouse outside the city.
No guards.
No weapons.
Just Dominic and me.
When we entered, the doors slammed shut.
Lights came on.
Calvin stood across the room.
Beside him was Clara.
And behind them was Leo.
Dominic raised his gun.
“Let him go.”
Calvin shook his head.
“You still don't understand.”
“Understand what?”
Clara stepped forward.
“This was never about Leo.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“Then what?”
“Beatrice.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
Clara looked at me.
“Your mother knew your father wasn't your biological father.”
I froze.
“What?”
Dominic turned toward me.
Clara continued.
“She had an affair with a man connected to the Russo family.”
Dominic's face hardened.
“Stop.”
“She gave birth to twins.”
I stared at her.
“Evelyn and me?”
“No.”
Clara looked directly into my eyes.
“You and Evelyn were not both born to your mother.”
My mind went blank.
“What are you saying?”
Clara whispered:
“Evelyn is Dominic's sister.”
I looked at Dominic.
He looked stunned.
Clara smiled.
“And Beatrice…”
She stopped.
Dominic stepped forward.
“Don't.”
Clara lifted her gun.
“She's your father's daughter.”
Silence.
I couldn't breathe.
Dominic stared at me.
The man I had worked for.
The man I had begun to love.
And suddenly every secret in the house felt like a blade.
Then Leo screamed:
“DADDY!”
May you like
A gunshot cracked through the warehouse.
And Dominic fell to his knees...
