The Son He Never Knew

PART 3 — THE SECRET OF VICTORIA

The following morning, Elena received a call from Mia.

“You need to turn on the television.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

Elena switched on the hotel television.

A breaking news report appeared.

VICTORIA MORETTI HOSPITALIZED AFTER PRIVATE MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Elena stared at the screen.

The reporter continued.

“Sources close to the Moretti family confirm that Victoria Moretti has been receiving treatment overseas for a serious condition. Her husband, Dante Moretti, has reportedly canceled all business engagements.”

Elena slowly put down her coffee.

Victoria was sick?

Before she could process the news, someone knocked.

Dante stood outside.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“To see your sister.”

“I haven’t spoken to Victoria in three years.”

“Then perhaps it’s time you heard her side of the story.”

Elena hesitated, then looked at Leo, who was playing with Mia.

“I’ll be back soon, sweetheart.”

At the private hospital, Dante led her into a quiet VIP suite.

Victoria was lying in bed, looking thinner than Elena remembered. Her once-perfect hair was tied loosely behind her head.

When she saw Elena, tears immediately filled her eyes.

“You came.”

Elena stood near the doorway.

“Why did you do it?”

Victoria looked down.

“I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what? That I would marry him first?”

Victoria began crying.

“I knew Dante loved you. I knew he had been planning to marry you. But Father told me I had a serious illness, and I was terrified of dying alone.”

Elena’s expression didn’t soften.

“So you took the man I loved?”

“I thought I had very little time. I thought if I could have him, even for a few years, I wouldn’t have to face everything alone.”

“And what about me?”

Victoria covered her face.

“I know I destroyed your life.”

Dante stepped forward.

“Victoria, tell her the rest.”

Victoria looked at him.

Then she reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out an old envelope.

Inside were several documents and a letter written in their father’s handwriting.

Elena recognized the signature immediately.

She unfolded the letter with trembling fingers.

My dearest Elena,

If you are reading this, then I have failed to protect you from the truth.

Victoria’s illness was never the reason Dante married her. I asked him to keep her safe because she had become involved with dangerous men who were threatening our family.

I also asked him to keep you away from that world.

Elena looked up, confused.

“What does this mean?”

Victoria wiped her tears.

“Father discovered that someone in our family had been selling information to Dante’s enemies. He believed I was the easiest target.”

Dante’s expression turned cold.

“Three days ago, we discovered who was behind it.”

“Who?” Elena whispered.

Before Dante could answer, his phone rang.

He listened for several seconds.

Then his entire expression changed.

“What do you mean he’s at the hotel?”

Elena’s heart dropped.

“What’s happening?”

Dante turned toward her.

“Marco just called. Someone entered your hotel room.”

“Leo!”

“Your son is safe. Mia managed to get him out before they arrived.”

Elena nearly collapsed with relief.

Dante caught her arm.

“Listen to me. Nobody is touching our son.”

His phone rang again.

This time, Marco’s voice came through the speaker.

“Boss, we found something in the intruder’s pocket.”

“What?”

“A photograph of Elena and the boy. And there’s a message written on the back.”

Dante’s jaw tightened.

“What does it say?”

Marco hesitated.

Then he read the words aloud.

THE MORETTI BLOODLINE ENDS WITH THE BOY.

Dante slowly looked at Elena.

The danger was no longer about their past.

Someone knew Leo existed.

And whoever it was had just declared war on his family.