Chapter 15 - Isabella Speaks
“You made me believe silence protected Noah,” Isabella said through the speakers.
Grant stood in the middle of the empty hall, lighter in hand.
“You told me my father would destroy our family if I spoke.”
Massimo lowered his eyes.
“And Papa,” Isabella continued, “you made that lie easy for him to sell.”
The words cut cleanly.
Massimo did not interrupt.
“You loved me,” she said. “But you taught everyone that your anger was the most powerful thing in every room. Grant used that.”
Massimo swallowed.
“I know.”
Grant shouted, “Stop acting like I’m the only one who hurt you!”
Isabella’s answer came immediately.
“You’re not.”
Massimo closed his eyes.
“But you are the one who chose to hit me. You chose to scare our son. You chose to drug me, forge documents, take my child, and call it love.”
Grant’s hand trembled.
“You don’t know what love is.”
“No,” Isabella said. “I know exactly what it isn’t now.”
Grant flicked the lighter.
A small flame appeared.
Massimo did not rush him.
That was the old trap.
He said, “Noah asked if I was responsible for my anger too.”
Grant stared.
“He’s six. He understood something both of us spent years avoiding.”
The lighter flame shook.
“Put it down.”
Grant’s face collapsed into rage.
“You don’t order me anymore!”
“I’m not ordering you.” Massimo opened his hands. “I’m giving you the last choice you still control.”
For three seconds, no one moved.
Then Grant hurled the lighter toward the spilled fuel.
Massimo lunged.
The lighter struck marble inches short of the liquid.
Police rushed from both sides.
Grant fought wildly.
He was tackled and cuffed before he reached the loading doors.
Massimo stayed on the floor, breathing hard.
Torres walked over and kicked the lighter away.
“You hurt?”
“No.”
Grant twisted toward Massimo as officers lifted him.
“You think this is over?”
Massimo stood.
Grant laughed.
“Carlo didn’t work alone.”
Massimo’s expression changed.
Grant nodded toward the hard drive.
“Check the board minutes.”
Police dragged him away.
Hours later, forensic technicians opened the drive.
May you like
Carlo’s files named three Bellandi Freight directors.
One of them was Massimo’s younger brother, Vincent.
