Chapter 5 - Isabella Knew Her
Isabella had known Valentina before I did.
Valentina told me we first met at a charity gala eighteen months after Isabella died.
But Isabella’s notebook was dated four months before the crash.
Valentina Bellini approached me again today. Asked too many questions about the Falcone trust. Claims Marcus is only interested in legitimate restructuring. I don’t believe her.
My hands went cold.
Isabella wrote that Marcus had approached her about selling the waterfront properties.
She refused.
A week later, Valentina invited her to lunch.
Isabella refused that too.
Then came a line that made me stop breathing.
If anything happens to me, Domenico needs to know the Bellinis were trying to reach Ruby’s shares before Ruby could even walk.
I read it three times.
Luca stood beside me.
“Domenico.”
“I know.”
But her notebook proved motive existed long before Valentina entered my life.
By sunrise, Nico recovered deleted emails from my office computer.
One from Marcus to Valentina read:
Once Dom signs the marriage documents, we wait. Do not push the trust issue too early.
Another:
Ruby is the obstacle. The boy is the future they can accept.
I looked toward Ethan asleep in the guest room.
A child turned into a chess piece.
Then we found the email that changed everything.
Marcus:
Kessler is ready. Sloan will document instability. We need the girl out of the primary residence before Monday.
Valentina:
Domenico won’t agree.
Marcus:
He doesn’t have to. We only need the appearance of consent.
I stood up.
“Send everything to the prosecutor.”
Luca hesitated.
“You understand what that means.”
“Yes.”
My family had spent generations solving problems privately.
That tradition created men who believed law was optional.
I was done helping Marcus believe it.
Then Nico entered.
“We found the Connecticut residence.”
“What is it?”
His face was hard.
“Not a school.”
He placed a brochure on the table.
Saint Catherine Behavioral Residence.
A private facility for children with severe emotional disorders.
May you like
Ruby was three.
And Valentina had already reserved a bed.
