Chapter 12 - ISABELLA’S FINAL MESSAGE
Damiano stared at the letter for several seconds.
He had faced guns.
Wars.
Betrayals.
But opening a letter from the woman he lost terrified him more than anything.
Rafael stood silently.
Even he knew this moment belonged only to Damiano.
Damiano finally opened it.
The handwriting was familiar.
The first line made his heart stop.
“My love…”
Three simple words.
But they carried three years of pain.
Damiano continued reading.
“If you are reading this, then something happened to me.”
His breathing became heavier.
“I need you to know one thing.”
“I never blamed you.”
Damiano closed his eyes.
Because that was the one thought that haunted him.
That Isabella died because he failed her.
The letter continued.
“The person who betrayed us is someone close.”
“Someone you trust more than anyone.”
Damiano looked at Rafael.
Then back at the letter.
“Do not search for revenge first.”
“Search for the truth.”
“Because the person who hurt me wants you angry.”
“They want you to destroy yourself.”
A tear almost escaped.
Something Damiano had not allowed in years.
The final line was the most painful.
“Protect Mia.”
Damiano froze.
The room became silent.
Rafael looked confused.
“Mia?”
Damiano slowly lowered the letter.
“She knew.”
“She knew about Mia.”
Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside.
Everyone turned.
A guard rushed inside.
“Boss!”
“What happened?”
The guard looked nervous.
“We found someone inside the property.”
Damiano stood.
“Who?”
The guard swallowed.
“Silvio Marchetti.”
The room went cold.
Silvio had entered the one place nobody was allowed to enter.
Damiano walked outside.
Silvio stood surrounded by guards.
But he was smiling.
“You finally found the letter.”
Damiano stared at him.
“You knew?”
Silvio laughed softly.
“I knew everything.”
The anger inside Damiano exploded.
“You killed my wife.”
Silvio smiled.
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I saved this empire from her.”
Damiano’s eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?”
Silvio whispered.
“Your wife discovered what you were becoming.”
“She was going to take everything away from you.”
“She was going to expose you.”
Damiano’s fists tightened.
But then Silvio said something unexpected.
“She also discovered who Mia’s real father is.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Damiano looked at Mia.
May you like
Then back at Silvio.
“What did you say?”
