Chapter 6: The Wife Who Should Be Dead
Rico had imagined this moment a thousand times.
Every night after Elena died, he imagined seeing her again.
Walking through the front door.
Calling his name.
Holding Leo.
He imagined himself running to her.
Forgiving everything.
Asking impossible questions.
But reality was different.
Reality was Elena standing ten feet away while every instinct inside him screamed that something was wrong.
“Rico.””
Her voice broke him.
Just for a second.
Then the anger returned.
“You’re alive.””
Elena’s eyes filled.
“Yes.””
“Six months.””
She looked down.
“I know.””
“Six months, Elena.””
The room became silent.
Leo stood behind Clara.
He was staring.
Confused.
Afraid.
Then he whispered:
“Mommy?””
Elena’s face collapsed.
She took one step forward.
Rico immediately moved between them.
“No.””
The word was sharp.
Painful.
Elena stopped.
“I just want to hold my son.””
“You don’t get to disappear and come back when you want.””
“I was trying to protect him.””
“You let him think you were dead.””
“I had no choice.””
Rico laughed once.
A bitter sound.
“No choice?””
His voice rose.
“You left me watching him break.””
Elena closed her eyes.
“I know.””
“You watched from somewhere while he screamed every night?””
Tears moved down her face.
“I know.””
“And you let me believe I failed you.””
“I know.””
That was the worst part.
She didn’t defend herself.
She accepted every accusation.
Clara watched them.
This wasn’t a reunion.
It was two people standing in the ruins of something they had loved.
Leo suddenly moved.
Before anyone could stop him, he walked around Rico.
“Mommy?””
Elena dropped to her knees.
Her hands covered her mouth.
Leo approached slowly.
Like he had approached Clara.
Carefully.
Waiting.
Elena whispered:
“My baby.””
Leo touched her face.
Then he stepped backward.
Clara noticed.
So did Rico.
Leo remembered her.
But something was wrong.
The child who had begged for Clara’s hand was afraid of his own mother.
Elena saw it too.
Her expression broke.
“He doesn’t remember me.””
Clara spoke softly.
“He remembers.””
Everyone looked at her.
“He just remembers losing you.””
The words hurt.
But they were true.
Elena looked at Clara.
And for the first time, Clara saw recognition.
“You’re Clara.””
The room froze.
Rico turned.
“You know her?””
Elena nodded slowly.
“I’ve known about her for years.””
Clara felt her stomach tighten.
“Why?””
Elena looked at her.
“Because your father saved my life.””
Silence.
“My father?””
Elena nodded.
“Jonathan Vance.””
Clara shook her head.
“My father was a mechanic.””
“That’s what everyone wanted you to believe.””
Rico stepped closer.
“Elena.””
She looked at him.
“Rico, we don’t have much time.””
“Start explaining.””
Elena glanced toward Leo.
Then toward Clara.
“Your families were connected before you were born.””
Clara’s voice was barely a whisper.
“How?””
Elena looked at her.
“Your father discovered something about the Moretti family.””
Rico’s expression darkened.
“What?””
“He found out someone inside your organization was selling information.””
The room went silent.
Rico stared.
“Who?””
Elena looked toward the office door.
A shadow moved outside.
Her face changed.
“No.””
Dante reached for his weapon.
Too late.
The door opened.
A man stepped inside.
Older.
Calm.
Smiling.
Rico recognized him immediately.
Because he had trusted him for fifteen years.
“Hello, Rico.””
The smile disappeared from Elena’s face.
“Marco.””
May you like
The restaurant manager smiled.
“I suppose it’s time everyone finally learned the truth.””
