Chapter 6 - The Last Address Marianne Left Behind

The address was hidden inside the medallion.

Not written.

Engraved.

So faint Emma had never seen it.

Marco found it beneath magnification.

Three numbers.

A street abbreviation.

A small town in Vermont.

Luca wanted to send men first.

Emma refused.

Belini surprised everyone.

“She’s right.”

Luca looked at her.

Belini continued.

“If Sofia has been hiding for twenty-three years, six black SUVs arriving at her door will not make her cooperative.”

Marco almost smiled.

Luca did not.

They went with one car.

Luca.

Emma.

Belini.

Marco driving.

The house sat at the edge of a lake.

Of course it did.

Emma saw the water first.

Then the trees.

Then the shoreline.

The same lake from the photograph.

Her mother had returned.

Or never truly left.

Emma stepped out.

Her hands felt cold.

Luca stayed beside her.

Belini remained near the car.

The front door opened.

An elderly woman appeared.

Silver hair.

Thin frame.

Dark eyes.

Luca stopped.

No photograph prepared him.

“Aunt Sofia.”

The woman stared at him.

Then at Emma.

Her face collapsed.

“Marianne.”

Emma’s throat closed.

“No.”

Sofia covered her mouth.

“I’m Emma.”

Tears filled the older woman’s eyes.

“I know.”

That answer hurt.

Emma walked closer.

“You knew me.”

“From a distance.”

“How long?”

“Your whole life.”

Emma stopped.

Anger arrived.

Good.

Anger was easier than grief.

“You watched?”

“When I could.”

“You let me believe my mother had no one.”

“I was trying to keep you alive.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

Sofia looked ashamed.

“You sound like her.”

Emma hated that she wanted to hear more.

Luca stepped forward.

“Why did you stay hidden?”

Sofia looked at him.

“Because Moretti survived your grandfather.”

Belini flinched.

Sofia saw her.

Her expression changed.

“You.”

Belini lowered her eyes.

“I’m his daughter.”

“I know.”

Emma looked between them.

“You’ve met?”

Sofia shook her head.

“But I know her face.”

“How?”

“Her father carried photographs.”

Belini went pale.

Sofia continued.

“He liked trophies.”

Luca’s voice hardened.

“What did he do to Marianne?”

Sofia looked toward the lake.

“Not what you think.”

Emma’s pulse jumped.

“Then what?”

“Marianne was already dying.”

Emma’s breath caught.

“Cancer?”

Sofia nodded.

“Pancreatic. Late.”

Emma closed her eyes.

Her mother had never told her the full diagnosis.

Only that treatment had failed.

Sofia continued.

“Moretti found us because Marianne needed specialist care. He offered silence.”

Belini whispered:

“In exchange for what?”

Sofia looked at her.

“The original ledger Antonio stole.”

Belini’s father had wanted proof destroyed.

Marianne had traded something.

Emma understood.

“She gave it to him.”

“No.”

Sofia smiled sadly.

“Marianne was smarter than that.”

Emma almost laughed.

Of course.

“What did she give him?”

“A copy.”

“And the original?”

Sofia looked directly at Emma.

“Your mother left it to you.”

Silence.

Emma stared.

“Where?”

Sofia pointed toward the medallion.

“Not inside it.”

Emma frowned.

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Sofia touched the flower engraving.

“The flower is a key.”