CHAPTER 4
500 Words
The Man in the Photograph
The photograph led them to an abandoned building on the edge of the city.
According to the newspaper article, Adrian Vale had owned the property before the fire.
Lia stood outside the building.
"This is a terrible idea."
Matteo looked at her.
"You're the one who insisted on coming."
"I've changed my mind."
"Too late."
They entered.
Dust covered the floor.
Old furniture sat beneath white sheets.
Lia noticed a strange symbol painted on one wall.
The snake and crown.
She touched it.
"Why is that symbol everywhere?"
Matteo examined it.
"It belonged to the Vale Circle."
A noise came from upstairs.
They froze.
"Did you hear that?" Lia whispered.
Matteo nodded.
They moved carefully toward the staircase.
A door upstairs was slightly open.
Inside was a room filled with photographs.
Lia walked toward the nearest wall.
Her father.
Matteo's father.
Elena.
And dozens of other people.
Some photographs were years old.
Others were recent.
Lia's stomach tightened.
"He was watching us."
Matteo found a folder.
Inside were documents detailing the Moretti-Romano feud.
At the bottom of one page was Adrian's signature.
Lia's hands shook.
"He created the feud."
"Yes."
A voice came from behind them.
"You finally understand."
They turned.
A man stood in the doorway.
Older.
Elegant.
Calm.
Adrian Vale.
Lia recognized him immediately.
"You."
Adrian smiled.
"Your father had your eyes."
Lia stepped backward.
"What did you do to him?"
Adrian's smile disappeared.
"Your father made a choice."
"You killed him."
"He chose to fight me."
Matteo moved in front of Lia.
Adrian looked amused.
"Just like your father."
Matteo's voice was cold.
"You won't hurt her."
Adrian laughed softly.
"You're already making the same mistake everyone else made."
"What mistake?"
"Believing you're protecting someone."
Adrian stepped aside.
"Look behind you."
Lia turned.
The documents on the table were gone.
Adrian had already taken them.
He walked away.
Matteo followed.
But when they reached the street, Adrian had disappeared.
Only one thing remained.
A note.
Lia unfolded it.
The truth is closer than you think.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD