Chapter 13 - THE FAMILY SECRET

Nico read the letter again.

And again.

Like the words might change.

They didn’t.

Adeline watched him carefully.

“What does it mean?”

Nico didn’t answer immediately.

He looked toward the window.

“My father always believed someone inside the family would betray us.”

Edna lowered her eyes.

“Your father was right.”

Nico turned.

“You knew?”

The housekeeper looked older suddenly.

“I knew something was wrong.”

“How long?”

“Years.”

His expression hardened.

“And you said nothing?”

Edna looked hurt.

“I tried.”

A pause.

“Your father told me not to trust anyone.”

Nico laughed bitterly.

“Not even me?”

“He was protecting you.”

“By hiding the truth?”

Edna had no answer.

That was the problem with secrets.

People always claimed they were protecting someone.

Until the person being protected realized they were also being trapped.

Adeline picked up the letter.

“There has to be more.”

Nico nodded.

“My father never left one message.”

They searched the office.

Hours passed.

Then Adeline noticed something.

A painting.

A small painting on the wall.

“It’s crooked.”

Nico looked at her.

“You noticed that?”

“I notice everything.”

He almost smiled.

Together, they removed it.

Behind it was a hidden safe.

Nico entered the combination.

The door opened.

Inside were documents.

Photos.

And one name.

The name made Nico stop.

“Who is it?”

He handed Adeline the paper.

She read it.

Then looked up.

“This can’t be real.”

Nico stared ahead.

Because it was real.

The person behind the entire plan was someone nobody suspected.

Someone who had comforted him after the accident.

Someone who had cried beside his hospital bed.

Someone who claimed to love him like family.

His own cousin.

Julian Alfieri.

The next morning, Nico called Julian.

“Come to the house.”

Julian arrived thirty minutes later.

Perfect suit.

Friendly smile.

The same smile he had worn for years.

“Nico.”

They hugged.

But Nico did not hug back.

Julian noticed.

“What’s wrong?”

Nico placed the documents on the table.

“Tell me the truth.”

Julian looked down.

Then smiled.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Nico leaned forward.

“You were involved.”

The smile disappeared.

Only for a second.

But enough.

Adeline saw it.

“You knew about Camille.”

Julian looked at her.

“And you must be the nurse who thinks she’s a hero.”

Adeline stayed calm.

“No.”

She looked at Nico.

“I’m the person who found the truth.”

Julian laughed.

“You really think truth matters?”

Nico stared at him.

“Yes.”

Julian stepped closer.

“Then you’re still not ready.”

“Ready for what?”

Julian smiled.

“The truth about your accident.”

The room went silent.

Because everyone thought they already knew.

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