Chapter 11: Elena’s Last Message
Rico did not open the letter immediately.
That surprised everyone.
Clara expected him to tear it open.
To search for answers.
To demand explanations.
Instead, he sat there.
Holding the envelope.
Like it was something fragile.
Like opening it would make Elena disappear for a second time.
Leo slept beside Clara.
Dante stood near the door.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Rico whispered:
“She knew.””
Isabella nodded.
“Yes.””
“She knew she was leaving.””
“Yes.””
The answer broke something inside him.
Because for six months, Rico had lived with one belief.
That Elena had been taken suddenly.
That there had been no goodbye.
No final thought.
No final words.
Now he knew there had been.
And somehow, that hurt more.
He opened the envelope.
Inside was one page.
Only one.
His hands tightened as he began reading.
*Rico,*
*If you are reading this, then I am gone.*
He stopped.
Closed his eyes.
Then continued.
*I know you will blame yourself. Please don’t.*
A bitter smile crossed his face.
Because Elena knew him too well.
*You will search for the person who did this. You will want revenge. You will tell yourself that destroying them will make the pain smaller.*
Rico looked down.
Because she was right.
*But our son does not need revenge. He needs his father.*
His breathing changed.
Clara noticed.
*Leo is not your weakness, Rico. He is the reason you can become something better.*
The words stayed in the air.
Rico continued.
*I fell in love with you because you protected people. Not because you scared them.*
A tear formed.
He wiped it away quickly.
Nobody mentioned it.
*If Matteo comes for Leo, remember this: he does not want our son. He wants what Leo represents.*
Rico turned the page.
There was more.
A name.
A name he had not expected.
*The person who helped Matteo is someone you trust.*
Rico looked up.
Dante noticed.
“What?””
Rico didn’t answer.
He kept reading.
*But don’t judge them too quickly. Fear makes people do terrible things.*
The letter ended with:
*Please give Leo the childhood we never had.*
*Love, Elena.*
For several seconds, Rico didn’t move.
Then he folded the letter.
Carefully.
Like a sacred thing.
“She knew.””
Clara looked at him.
“What?””
“She knew everything.””
Isabella nodded.
“She always did.””
Rico looked at her.
“Why didn’t you come forward?””
Isabella’s face tightened.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of Matteo?””
“No.””
A pause.
“Of what he would do to Elena’s memory.””
Rico frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Isabella looked down.
“Matteo didn’t act alone.””
The room changed.
Again.
Rico stood.
“Who?””
Isabella looked at Dante.
Then at Clara.
Then finally at Rico.
“Someone inside your security team.””
Dante immediately stiffened.
“No.””
Isabella looked at him.
“I didn’t say you.””
“But someone under me.””
“Yes.””
Rico looked toward the sleeping child.
Everything was connected.
The threats.
The messages.
The camera.
The access.
Someone had been watching.
Someone close.
His phone suddenly rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
Rico answered.
No one spoke.
Then a voice came through.
“Still reading Elena’s letters?””
Rico’s face went cold.
“Who is this?””
A laugh.
“You know.””
Rico’s eyes narrowed.
“No.””
“Yes.””
A pause.
“I’m the person who tried to save her.””
The room went silent.
Rico gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
“I’m not the one you should be looking for.””
“Then who?””
The voice became softer.
“The person standing next to you.””
Everyone looked around.
Dante.
Isabella.
Clara.
The caller continued:
“You keep searching for monsters outside the house.””
A pause.
“But you never notice the ones you let inside.””
The call ended.
Rico slowly lowered the phone.
Nobody moved.
Then Leo woke up.
“Daddy?””
Rico looked at him.
Immediately, the anger disappeared.
“I’m here.””
Leo looked around.
“Home?””
Rico glanced at the empty warehouse.
Then at Clara.
Then at the letter from Elena.
“Soon.””
Leo nodded.
Then whispered:
“Promise?””
Rico held him.
“Promise.””
But when Rico looked up again, his expression changed.
Because he realized something.
The caller had been right about one thing.
May you like
The enemy wasn’t outside.
It was already inside.
