The Inheritance of Secrets
1021 Words
CHAPTER 10
THE INHERITANCE OF SECRETS
The words on the guard's phone remained on the screen.
YOUR FATHER LEFT SOMETHING FOR SERENA.
AND THE MORETTIS HAVE IT.
Serena stared at the message.
Her heart pounded.
She slowly turned toward Dante.
"You said you didn't know."
Dante's face was unreadable.
"I didn't know what he left behind."
"But you know where it is."
He didn't answer.
"Dante."
He sighed.
"Come with me."
---
They walked through a private corridor hidden behind the mansion's library.
Dante entered a code into a small keypad.
The wall clicked.
A section of it slowly opened.
Serena stared.
"There was a room behind the library?"
"I've never shown this to anyone."
"Why me?"
Dante looked at her.
"Because whatever is inside belongs to you."
They entered.
The room was small and completely dark except for a single lamp in the center.
On the table sat an old black wooden box.
Serena immediately recognized the initials carved into its lid.
S.M.
Her father's initials.
She stopped breathing.
"My father..."
Dante nodded.
"I found it three years ago."
"Why didn't you give it to me?"
"I didn't know if it was safe."
Serena approached the box.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
Inside was a collection of documents, photographs, a small silver key, and a sealed envelope.
Her name was written across it.
SERENA.
She touched the envelope.
"How long has this been here?"
"Three years."
She looked at Dante.
"And you kept it from me for three years?"
"I was trying to keep you alive."
She broke the seal.
Inside was a letter.
Her father's handwriting.
Serena's eyes immediately filled with tears.
My beloved Serena,
If you are reading this, then I am no longer there to protect you.
She covered her mouth.
Dante quietly stood beside her.
There are things I never told you because I wanted you to have a normal life.
I failed.
The world you know is not the world I came from.
Serena continued reading.
The Black Serpents were never meant to become what they became. I created them to protect people from men who believed money and power gave them the right to control everything.
But power corrupts even those who believe they are using it for good.
Her eyes moved down the page.
I trusted one man more than anyone.
Luciano Moretti.
Serena looked at Dante.
He betrayed me.
But he did not betray me because of money.
Her heart raced.
He betrayed me because of what I discovered.
She turned the page.
There was only one sentence.
THE LEDGER EXISTS.
Serena frowned.
"What ledger?"
Dante's expression changed.
The color drained from his face.
"You know what this is?"
"No."
He stared at the letter.
"The ledger was a list."
"Of what?"
"Every payment. Every secret deal. Every politician who accepted money. Every businessman who financed the Black Serpents."
Serena's eyes widened.
"And my father had it?"
"Yes."
She looked back at the letter.
The ledger contains enough information to destroy the people who built their fortunes through blood.
I hid it where no one would think to look.
Only my daughter can open it.
Serena's eyes widened.
"Me?"
Dante picked up the small silver key.
"This must be it."
A second piece of paper fell from the envelope.
Serena picked it up.
Three words were written on it.
BLOOD REMEMBERS BLOOD.
Dante stared at the words.
"Your father designed the lock so only someone from his bloodline could open it."
"Where is it?"
Dante looked at the key.
"I think I know."
Before Serena could ask—
The lights suddenly went out.
Dante immediately pulled her behind him.
"Don't move."
Footsteps echoed outside the secret room.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then the door slowly opened.
Dante raised his gun.
"Show yourself."
A familiar voice answered.
"Put the gun down, Dante."
Serena froze.
She knew that voice.
The person stepped into the dim light.
Serena's eyes widened.
"Marcus?"
Dante's security chief stood before them.
The same man who had protected Dante during the wedding.
The same man who had helped search for the escaped guard.
The same man who had stood beside them when the mansion was attacked.
Marcus lowered his weapon.
Dante's face became terrifyingly calm.
"How long?"
Marcus smiled.
"Long enough."
Serena shook her head.
"You..."
"I had no choice."
Dante stepped forward.
"You always have a choice."
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"Not when they have your family."
Serena's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Marcus didn't answer.
Dante's voice became colder.
"Who is controlling you?"
Marcus looked at Serena.
"Your father."
Silence.
Serena stared at him.
"My father is dead."
"I know."
"Then what do you mean?"
Marcus reached into his coat.
Dante raised his gun.
"Slowly."
Marcus pulled out a photograph.
He threw it onto the table.
Serena picked it up.
Her breath stopped.
The photograph showed her father.
Older.
Alive.
Standing beside a black car.
And beside him was a woman Serena had never seen before.
But there was something familiar about the woman.
The eyes.
The face.
The smile.
Serena's fingers began to tremble.
"Who is she?"
Marcus smiled.
"Your father's other daughter."
Serena stared at him.
"What?"
Dante looked equally stunned.
Marcus continued.
"Your father didn't leave only an inheritance."
He pointed at the box.
"He left an empire."
Serena's heart pounded.
"And your sister knows where the ledger is."
Dante stepped toward Marcus.
"You've been working for her."
Marcus nodded.
"She promised to keep my family alive."
"Where is she?"
Marcus smiled.
"Closer than you think."
Suddenly, a loud crash came from upstairs.
Then screams.
Marcus looked toward the ceiling.
"She's here."
Dante grabbed Serena's hand.
"We're leaving."
But Marcus blocked the door.
Dante raised his gun.
"Move."
Marcus shook his head.
"You don't understand."
"What?"
Marcus looked directly at Serena.
"She didn't come for the ledger."
He paused.
"She came for you."
Serena's blood ran cold.
A slow smile appeared on Marcus's face.
"Because you're the only person who can unlock your father's inheritance."
And somewhere above them, a woman's voice echoed through the mansion.
"Serena..."
The voice was soft.
Almost affectionate.
"Come meet your sister."
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