Chapter 5 - The Truth
I froze instantly, completely paralyzed by the horrific sight of my wife aiming a loaded gun at my heart.
The hatred radiating from her beautiful green eyes was entirely genuine and absolutely terrifying.
I slowly raised my empty hands, begging her to listen to me for just one single minute.
Alina screamed that she would never listen to the monster who brutally ordered a hit on her own family.
My mind violently spun as I desperately tried to process her horrific, unbelievable accusation.
I told her I loved her family and had absolutely nothing to do with their tragic deaths.
She laughed bitterly, a hollow sound that completely broke my fragile heart into pieces.
She stated that six years ago, she found my personal ledger hidden securely in our floorboards.
The ledger explicitly detailed my direct orders to eliminate her brother and father in a massive warehouse fire.
I aggressively shook my head, suddenly realizing the terrifying depth of the incredible manipulation.
I swore on our daughter's life that I never wrote those orders or possessed that specific ledger.
I frantically explained that Matteo was the only other person who had access to my private stationary and personal seals.
Alina's hands wavered slightly, her absolute certainty finally beginning to crack under the heavy weight of my words.
I took one slow step forward and gently pushed the barrel of the silver revolver down toward the floor.
I told her about finding our beautiful Sophia at the orphanage just a few miraculous hours ago.
Alina completely dropped the heavy weapon, collapsing to her knees in violent, wracking sobs.
She confessed that she dropped Sophia at the orphanage because Matteo's men were actively hunting them.
She truly thought the nuns could hide the child better than a terrified woman constantly on the run.
Matteo eventually captured her anyway, keeping her locked away as his ultimate insurance policy against my wrath.
I knelt beside her on the floor, pulling her tightly into my arms for the first time in an eternity.
We sat there in the darkness, mourning the six precious years violently stolen from our broken family.
Suddenly, the cheap burner phone in Alina's pocket began to buzz relentlessly.
She pulled it out and answered it on speakerphone with a heavily trembling hand.
Matteo's smooth, entirely arrogant voice echoed loudly into the quiet, dark bedroom.
He casually informed Alina that his men had successfully tracked my movements across the city.
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He said he knew exactly where my hidden bunker was located and that his team was already there.
"Say goodbye to your precious little girl, Alina," Matteo laughed cruelly before ending the terrible call.
