Chapter 4
Ella's POV
The next morning, I arrived at my father's old accounting office.
It was an old building in Brooklyn's historic district—three stories high with weathered brick-red walls. After father's death, it had remained empty, with only my occasional visits to sort through files.
I unlocked the door with trembling hands, greeted by the musty smell of dust.
As the daughter of an accountant who once served the Moretti family, I knew exactly where father hid all the confidential documents. Though accessing these files now might be risky, I had to know the truth.
I opened the hidden safe behind the desk, revealing several manila folders neatly arranged inside.
The first folder was labeled "Moretti Enterprises." I examined it carefully, finding numerous suspicious financial records.
Massive international transfers, unexplained cash flows, and expenses marked "special projects"...
These numbers shocked me, but weren't enough to prove anything.
The second folder left me completely stunned.
It contained detailed records of Aria's involvement in an international human trafficking network. From Europe to America, from Asia to South America—a vast criminal empire spread before my eyes.
My God... she's not just a businesswoman. She's a complete CRIMINAL.
But what truly stopped my heart was the third folder.
In a document marked "Risk Assessment - CONFIDENTIAL," I saw a name that shattered me:
Sam Rossi
My hands shook violently, barely able to hold the papers.
Status: ELIMINATED
Risk Level: HIGH - Subject discovered illegal operations and planned to report to authorities
Action Taken: Staged as accidental drowning
Date: Three years ago
"No... no, no, NO..." I whispered, papers slipping from my hands and scattering across the floor.
Sam was really murdered by Aria.
I collapsed into father's office chair as tears poured out like a waterfall. All the memories rushed back like a broken dam.
Four years ago, at father's small accounting office.
"Good morning, I'm Sam Rossi. I need help with some financial documents."
A young man entered through the door. Sunlight streamed from behind him, making him look like an angel. Chestnut brown hair, gentle brown eyes, and that warm smile.
That was my first time meeting Sam.
Sam was Vincent's half-brother. Due to his illegitimate status, he'd always been treated coldly by the Rossi family, but this hadn't made him bitter or cynical. Instead, he was gentle, kind, always quietly helping those in need.
"Your eyes light up when you concentrate," he first said this while I was helping him organize complex accounts. "Like little stars."
We quickly fell in love, but had to keep our relationship secret. His status, my background—everything destined this love to be unacceptable to the family.
"I know my position in the family isn't ideal," he once said, holding my hand, "but I don't care what others think. As long as you love me, nothing else matters."
"Ella, once I establish myself in the family business, I'll marry you openly," he always promised. "I want everyone to know you're the most precious treasure in my life."
In the last few months three years ago, Sam became increasingly troubled. He often returned very late, worry always clouding his eyes.
"Is everything okay?" I asked him repeatedly.
"Just some work issues," he'd always answer, then embrace me. "Don't worry, it'll be over soon."
I didn't know what he was investigating, didn't know he'd discovered Aria's criminal network, didn't know he'd gathered enough evidence to report her.
Three years ago, that last night, he came home later than usual. He looked exhausted but had a determination in his eyes I'd never seen before.
"Tomorrow, after everything's finished, I'll speak to your father about marrying you," he held me tightly, whispering promises in my ear.
"What's finishing tomorrow?" I looked at him confused.
"Some things I need to handle," he kissed me deeply. "Don't worry about it. After tomorrow, we can finally be together openly—no more hiding."
That was our last embrace.
The next evening, I waited at the office for his good news. Instead, I received a phone call.
"Miss, I regret to inform you that Sam Rossi died in an accident this afternoon," the officer's voice was cold and businesslike. "He drowned trying to save a child who fell into the lake."
The phone slipped from my hand.
I remember screaming, remember stumbling toward the accident scene, remember the despair when I saw his cold body.
But no one knew my pain. No one knew about our relationship. To everyone, I was just a passerby who happened to hear the news.
A month later, the Moretti family proposed I marry Vincent in place of runaway Aria.
"We have no choice, Ella," father looked at me helplessly. "The family debt must be repaid this way."
I initially refused completely, until I saw Vincent's photograph.
When I first saw Vincent's photo, my heart nearly stopped.
He looked so much like Sam...
The same chestnut brown hair, same eye shape, even the nose contours were similar. Though Vincent's demeanor was colder, lacking Sam's gentle smile, that face...
In that moment, I made my decision.
If I can't be with Sam, at least I can see a face like his every day.
Memory ended.
I sat in father's office chair, tears finally dried.
Sam didn't die accidentally. He was murdered by Aria because he discovered her crimes, because he was going to report her.
I've been loving Sam all along—Vincent was just his substitute...
This truth cut through my heart like a dull blade.
For three years, I thought I was trying to love Vincent, but actually, I only loved his face that resembled Sam's. Every time I looked at Vincent, I thought of Sam. Every time I tried to get close to Vincent, I yearned for Sam's embrace.
Aria, you killed the person I loved most!
I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms until I felt pain.
Anger, hatred, despair—all emotions churned in my chest like a raging fire.
You think you can escape justice forever? You think no one will avenge Sam?
I stood up, wiped the tears from my face, and straightened my clothes.
Sam, I swear I'll avenge you. I'll expose the truth, I'll make that BITCH Aria pay!
I would return to that house and continue playing the obedient wife. But from today, I had a new purpose.
REVENGE.
And the tool to achieve this goal would be Vincent.
