Chapter 6 - THE RECORDING
Daniel retrieved the brown leather gloves from the suitcase and
delivered them to a digital forensics specialist. The memory card was
hidden inside the hollowed heel of the left glove, wrapped in waxed
paper.
The specialist made a forensic copy before opening any files. There were
three audio recordings, two scanned documents, and a short video. The
first recording began with the unmistakable voice of Vincent’s father,
Carlo Moretti.
“The child must be removed before the birth is registered,” Carlo said.
“If Elena keeps him, she becomes the center of the succession dispute.”
A second voice answered. It belonged to Dr. Shaw.
“And the mother?”
“She’ll be told the child died. If she refuses to accept it, send her
somewhere she can be treated.”
Then Vanessa spoke.
“What if Vincent finds out?”
Carlo laughed.
“Vincent will believe whatever protects the family. And if he doesn’t,
you’ll make sure he has something else to worry about.”
Vincent listened without moving. When the recording ended, he asked for
it to be played again.
Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Boss, we have enough to take this to the authorities.”
“Not yet,” Vincent said. “We need the original documents and Vanessa’s
current movements.”
I called him from my apartment.
“Vincent, don’t turn this into a war.”
“She’s threatened you.”
“Then protect me. But don’t let anger decide what happens next.”
He was silent.
I reminded him that Gabriel needed a father, not another man consumed by
revenge. He listened, though I could hear how difficult it was.
That afternoon, Elena agreed to meet at a secure medical center. Vincent
arrived with Daniel and a family lawyer. I joined by video because
Dr. Harris had ordered me to avoid travel.
When Elena entered the room, Vincent stood.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he whispered her name.
“Elena.”
She began to cry.
He moved toward her, but stopped a few feet away, giving her room to
choose. Elena crossed the distance herself. They held each other in a
quiet, trembling embrace.
“I thought you were gone,” he said.
“I thought you believed I had left.”
“I was wrong.”
They spoke for nearly an hour. Elena explained that she had been moved
between facilities and kept under a false identity. She had escaped with
the help of a nurse who believed her story, but she stayed hidden
because she feared Vanessa’s influence over the family.
Vincent told her about Gabriel. He described the wooden airplane, the
serious gray eyes, and the way the boy had asked whether a broken thing
could be fixed.
Elena covered her mouth.
“Can I see him?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
She looked at Vincent. “I want to see him now.”
The next day, Margaret brought Gabriel to the medical center. Elena
waited in a private family room. When the boy entered, she knelt.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Gabriel studied her face.
“Do I know you?”
Elena smiled through tears. “You knew me when you were very small.”
She showed him the photograph from the suitcase. Gabriel touched the
baby’s cheek.
“Is that me?”
“Yes.”
“Were you my mother?”
“I am.”
He considered this, then looked at Vincent.
“Does that mean I have two parents?”
Vincent knelt beside him.
“Yes, son. You do.”
Gabriel reached for Elena’s hand.
The room filled with a silence that felt sacred.
But outside, Daniel received a message. Vanessa had left the estate. Her
May you like
car was heading toward the airport.
And she had taken the original trust documents.
