Chapter 5 - The Bitter Truth
Sofia dove behind the massive velvet curtains just as the underboss entered the library.
His name was Dante, and his footsteps echoed ominously on the hardwood floor.
He held the altered medical file in one hand and his silenced weapon in the other.
I know you are in here, little bird.
Dante whispered, stalking slowly around the large mahogany desk.
Your miraculous return is incredibly inconvenient for my retirement plans.
Sofia held her breath, praying the heavy fabric would completely conceal her shaking body.
Dante raised his gun toward the curtains, a cruel smirk spreading across his face.
Before he could pull the trigger, the library doors flew open.
Riccardo stormed into the room with four armed guards trailing behind him.
What is the meaning of this gunshot?
Riccardo demanded, staring at the dead body of Dr. Rossi in the hallway.
Dante immediately lowered his weapon and feigned a look of absolute shock.
Boss, I found the doctor trying to steal the medical files.
Dante lied effortlessly.
He pulled a weapon on me, and I had no choice but to put him down.
Riccardo frowned, his sharp eyes missing nothing in the tense room.
And what about the DNA results?
Riccardo asked, holding his hand out for the folder.
Dante handed over the thick envelope with a sorrowful expression.
I am so sorry, Don Riccardo.
The girl is a complete fraud planted by the Falcones to infiltrate our home.
Sofia burst out from behind the curtains, tears streaming down her face.
He is lying to you!
Sofia screamed, pointing a trembling finger at the underboss.
I heard him murder the doctor because the test proved that I am your daughter.
Riccardo looked down at the official laboratory document in his hands.
The paper clearly stated a zero percent probability of a biological relationship.
Riccardo looked at Sofia, his expression turning entirely cold and unreadable.
He slowly pulled his own gun from his holster and pointed it directly at her chest.
Take this lying traitor down to the basement cells.
Riccardo ordered his guards in a voice completely devoid of emotion.
The guards grabbed Sofia's arms and dragged her kicking and screaming out of the library.
She could not believe the man she thought was her father was sending her to her death.
As they locked her inside a damp, concrete cell, one of the guards slipped a small piece of paper into her pocket.
May you like
Sofia waited until she was alone to unfold the hidden note in the dim light.
The note read: I know he is lying, wait for my signal to run.
