The Mafia Boss Was Ready to Marry Another — Until His Maid Revealed the Secret She’d Hidden
Chapter 4
Luca spent the night going through his father’s files.
Elena stayed outside the study.
At dawn, he found the letter.
His father’s handwriting.
My son,
If Elena ever tells you who she is, believe her.
Luca’s hands shook.
The next line:
She is the only person in this family I trust.
Then:
The woman you are preparing to marry is not your enemy’s daughter.
Luca froze.
He read the next sentence.
She is their weapon.
Vanessa.
His father had known.
Luca continued reading.
But do not destroy her.
She was forced into this.
He stopped.
Elena entered.
“What did you find?”
“My father knew about Vanessa.”
“Yes.”
“He said she’s being used.”
“Yes.”
“By Richard?”
Elena shook her head.
“Someone above him.”
Luca frowned.
“Above Richard?”
Elena nodded.
“There is another Delacroix.”
He stared.
“Who?”
“Your grandmother.”
Luca went silent.
“My grandmother died thirty years ago.”
“No.”
“She disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“And she’s alive?”
“She controls the syndicate.”
Luca stared at Elena.
“You’re saying my grandmother is running everything?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Because your grandfather built the empire.”
“And?”
“She believes your father stole it.”
Luca sat down.
The family history was becoming a maze.
Elena explained.
Luca’s grandfather had created the criminal empire.
His grandmother had managed the money.
Their son—Luca’s father—wanted to leave the criminal world.
He began moving assets into legitimate businesses.
His grandmother opposed him.
Richard chose her side.
Vanessa’s family became their allies.
Then Luca’s father discovered the betrayal.
He tried to protect Luca.
That’s when Elena’s mother learned the truth.
They were both silenced.
Luca looked at Elena.
“Why didn’t my father run?”
“Because he wouldn’t leave you.”
“And you?”
“He asked me to watch you.”
Luca stared.
“You’ve been protecting me since I was twenty-nine?”
“Yes.”
“You were eighteen.”
“Yes.”
“That’s impossible.”
Elena smiled sadly.
“I grew up around dangerous people.”
He looked at her.
“What did you sacrifice?”
She didn’t answer.
“Everything?”
She shook her head.
“Not everything.”
“What did you keep?”
She looked at him.
“You.”
Luca went still.
Neither spoke.
Then the door opened.
Vanessa entered.
She looked from Luca to Elena.
“What is she doing here?”
Luca turned.
“We need to talk.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Of course.”
Elena stepped back.
Vanessa approached Luca.
“Tomorrow is our wedding.”
“No.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What?”
“The wedding is canceled.”
She stared.
“Why?”
“Because I know.”
“Know what?”
“Everything.”
Vanessa’s face changed.
Then she laughed.
“You really think that maid knows more than I do?”
Luca’s voice hardened.
“She’s family.”
Vanessa looked at Elena.
“Family?”
Elena nodded.
Vanessa whispered:
“Then she should know what happens to traitors.”
She pulled a gun.
Luca stepped in front of Elena.
Marco entered the room.
Gun drawn.
Vanessa looked relieved.
“Good.”
Luca stared at his security chief.
“Marco.”
Marco pointed at him.
“I’m sorry.”
Elena grabbed Luca’s arm.
“Don’t.”
Vanessa smiled.
“This is the part where the story ends.”
But Marco didn’t fire.
Instead, he turned his gun toward Vanessa.
“Not tonight.”
Vanessa stared.
“What are you doing?”
Marco replied:
“Your father is dead.”
She froze.
“Who killed him?”
Marco looked at Elena.
Then Luca.
“Your grandmother.”
