Chapter 8
Domenico gave investigators Camilla’s statement.
She begged him to wait.
He refused.
“Marco might have done nothing.”
Camilla looked stunned.
Domenico continued.
“But you hid facts from the people trying to determine that.”
“I was scared.”
“So was Elena.”
That ended the conversation.
Livia noticed Camilla’s absence.
“Why Aunt Camilla not coming?”
Domenico struggled.
Adults had created enough lies around his daughter already.
“Aunt Camilla made some bad choices.”
“Because vase?”
“No.”
Livia looked relieved.
The vase still mattered more to her than anyone realized.
She believed breaking it started everything.
Domenico crouched.
“Listen to me.”
She looked at him.
“Nothing happening now is because you broke that vase.”
“But letter came out.”
“Yes.”
“Then I did it.”
“You found something.”
He touched her cheek gently.
“You didn't create what was inside it.”
Livia seemed to think about that.
Then she asked:
“Mommy wrote it?”
Domenico froze.
He had not told her.
The nanny had apparently mentioned Elena’s handwriting.
Domenico nodded.
“Yes.”
“Mommy knew Aunt Camilla?”
“They were family.”
“Mommy mad?”
Domenico looked toward Elena’s portrait across the room.
“I think Mommy was scared.”
Livia moved closer.
That simple conversation changed how Domenico thought about the investigation.
For days he had treated Elena’s files as evidence.
To Livia they were something else.
They were the last words her mother intentionally left behind.
Domenico asked Rachel to create separate copies for investigators.
The originals would remain preserved for Livia.
Then the forensic audit produced its clearest finding yet.
Marco had diverted approximately $1.1 million through inflated contracts and related-company payments.
Enough evidence existed for civil recovery and potential criminal referral.
But money still did not explain what happened on the road.
Marco’s financial betrayal was proven.
Elena’s death remained unresolved.
Then police reexamining the original accident file discovered a photograph taken by a responding firefighter.
In the mud beside Elena’s car were two sets of shoe impressions.
May you like
One belonged to Elena.
The other had never been explained.
