Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN IN RED
Helena denied everything.
“That fabric proves nothing.”
Carmine placed it on the table between them.
“It came from the nursery.”
“So?”
“You told me you hadn’t entered that room in two years.”
“I forgot.”
“You also forgot turning off the cameras?”
Helena looked away.
Carmine leaned forward.
“And you forgot talking to a man about controlling my son.”
“You’re twisting everything.”
Carmine watched her carefully.
“Where is Sofia’s music box?”
“I don’t know.”
“You removed it.”
“No.”
“You found the compartment.”
“No.”
“You took whatever Sofia left there.”
Helena stood suddenly.
“I said no.”
Carmine did not move.
Her outburst confirmed more than her denial.
He calmly pulled out a chair.
“Sit.”
Helena stared at him.
Then slowly sat.
Carmine continued.
“Sofia discovered financial transfers connected to the Verona Foundation.”
Helena’s expression flickered.
Carmine saw it.
“So you know the name.”
“Everyone knows the foundation.”
“Not everyone knows Matteo used it.”
Helena’s face changed again.
Carmine leaned back.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For answering without answering.”
Helena’s hands tightened.
“You always think you’re smarter than everyone.”
“No.”
“I just know when someone is afraid.”
Helena laughed.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“You’re not afraid of me.”
Carmine nodded.
“You’re afraid of the person you were talking to.”
Helena stopped smiling.
Carmine saw it immediately.
There was another layer.
Someone above Helena.
Someone she feared.
“Who is he?”
“No one.”
“Matteo?”
Helena said nothing.
Carmine continued.
“Was Matteo on the phone?”
Silence.
“Did Matteo tell you to hurt Leo?”
Helena’s eyes snapped toward him.
“No.”
Too fast.
Too emotional.
Carmine stood.
“So Matteo is involved.”
Helena realized the mistake.
“Carmine.”
He walked toward the door.
“Carmine, listen to me.”
He stopped.
She lowered her voice.
“You do not understand your cousin anymore.”
Carmine turned.
Matteo Bellucci had grown up beside him.
Their fathers were brothers.
They had attended the same schools.
Fought the same street fights.
Built parts of the family empire together.
After Sofia died, Matteo had been one of the men who helped Carmine through the funeral.
He had carried Leo’s stroller into the church.
Carmine felt sick remembering it.
“What did Matteo do?”
Helena whispered.
“He changed.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
“How?”
“He started losing money.”
Carmine narrowed his eyes.
“Gambling?”
“Investments.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“Lie.”
Helena looked toward the windows.
Carmine waited.
Finally she spoke.
“More than twenty million.”
Carmine’s jaw tightened.
“How do you know?”
Helena swallowed.
“Because some of it was mine.”
Carmine stared at her.
Helena’s voice became quieter.
“Matteo approached me before you and I were married.”
“He knew I had access to Sofia’s social circle.”
“He knew I could become useful.”
Carmine’s expression darkened.
“You knew Sofia before the accident.”
Helena nodded.
“How long?”
“Eight months.”
Carmine felt the room change around him.
Helena had always claimed she met Carmine six months after Sofia died.
“You lied from the beginning.”
“Yes.”
“Did you help kill her?”
Helena’s face went pale.
“No.”
Carmine stepped closer.
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then who did?”
Helena’s eyes filled with panic.
“I don’t know.”
Carmine believed only part of that.
She knew enough to be terrified.
“Where is the music box?”
Helena stared at the floor.
“Matteo has it.”
Carmine’s breathing slowed.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“How did he get it?”
“I gave it to him.”
Carmine closed his eyes briefly.
The betrayal settled deeper.
Helena had entered his home.
Married him.
Touched his son.
All while knowing his first wife had left evidence behind.
“Why hurt Leo?”
Helena’s answer came almost as a whisper.
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“Because Matteo said Carmine Bellucci would survive losing a wife.”
“But he would not survive losing a son.”
