Chapter 10: The Cousin Who Knew Too Much
The man standing in the doorway looked nothing like the monster I had imagined.
That was the worst part.
I expected someone dangerous to look dangerous.
Instead, Gabriel looked calm.
Almost normal.
He wore a simple dark jacket and carried himself with the confidence of someone who believed every room already belonged to him.
My father stepped forward immediately.
“Gabriel.””
The way he said the name told me everything.
This was not a stranger.
This was someone from a forgotten chapter of his life.
Gabriel smiled.
“Uncle Adrian.””
The word sounded like an insult.
My father’s face hardened.
“You shouldn’t be here.””
“Funny.””
Gabriel stepped further inside.
“That’s exactly what my father said before everyone abandoned him.””
Lucian moved slightly.
“Gabriel.””
Gabriel looked at him.
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
“You.””
The tension between them was immediate.
“You knew where he was,” Gabriel said.
Lucian’s expression changed.
“I tried to help him.””
“No.””
Gabriel shook his head.
“You protected yourself.””
I looked between them.
Too many secrets.
Too many people with different versions of the same story.
“Can someone explain what is happening?””
Gabriel looked at me.
And strangely, his expression softened.
“You really don’t know anything, do you?””
My father stepped in front of me.
“Don’t talk to her.””
Gabriel laughed quietly.
“You spent twenty years hiding the truth from her, and now you’re worried about what I’ll say?””
“Enough.””
“No.””
Gabriel’s eyes moved to me.
“Your father wants you to believe he saved the family.””
He pointed at the necklace in my hand.
“But your mother knew the truth.””
My grip tightened.
“You knew my mother?””
Gabriel nodded.
“She was kind to me.””
The answer surprised me.
“She treated me like family.””
“Because you were family,” I said.
“Yes.””
His eyes became darker.
“But not everyone agreed.””
My father’s voice lowered.
“Gabriel, leave.””
“Why?””
“Because this is not the way.””
Gabriel smiled.
“You mean this is not the way you wanted her to find out.””
The accusation hit.
I looked at my father.
“Dad?””
He looked exhausted.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
He didn’t answer.
Gabriel laughed.
“That’s what he always says.””
My father turned sharply.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.””
“I know exactly what I’m talking about.””
Gabriel reached into his jacket.
Everyone tensed.
But he only pulled out a small envelope.
He held it toward me.
“Your mother wrote another letter.””
My father immediately reacted.
“No.””
I looked at him.
Another letter.
“How many things did you keep from me?””
He looked away.
That silence hurt.
Gabriel handed me the envelope.
“This one was never supposed to be found.””
I opened it slowly.
Inside was a single page.
My mother’s handwriting.
My hands shook.
*Valeria, if you ever discover the truth, remember this: people can do terrible things while believing they are protecting the people they love.*
I stopped.
The words felt like they were written directly to me.
I continued.
*Your father made mistakes. But he was not the only one.*
I looked up.
Gabriel was watching.
Lucian was watching.
Everyone was waiting.
The next sentence made my heart race.
*The person who caused everything was someone who knew our family better than anyone.*
I looked at my father.
Then Gabriel.
Then Lucian.
Anyone.
Everyone.
The letter continued.
*The proof is hidden where our story began.*
I frowned.
“Where our story began?””
Nobody answered.
Then Gabriel whispered:
“The old workshop.””
My father’s face changed.
“No.””
Gabriel smiled.
“Now you remember.””
I looked at my father.
“What is the old workshop?””
He didn’t answer.
Gabriel did.
“The place where your father and Lucian built the company.””
I looked at the letter again.
The place where their story began.
The place where everything started.
And maybe…
The place where everything ended.
My father stepped closer.
“Valeria, listen to me.””
But I moved away.
Because for the first time, I wasn’t sure who I could trust.
“I’m going there.””
My father shook his head.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“Valeria.””
I looked at him.
“If Mom left something there, I need to find it.””
Gabriel smiled faintly.
“Your mother always knew you were stronger than they thought.””
My father stared at him.
“You don’t get to use her memory.””
Gabriel looked at him.
“Neither do you.””
The words cut through the room.
Then my father’s phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And his face changed.
“What happened?”” I asked.
He lowered the phone slowly.
“The old workshop.””
My heart stopped.
“What about it?””
His voice was quiet.
“It was broken into last night.””
Nobody moved.
Then he added:
“And whoever entered…”
May you like
He looked at Gabriel.
“Left something behind.””
