Chapter 2 - FRAMED IN BLOODFlames erupted from the west wing of the Moretti mansion. Sirens blared in the distance as alarm systems screamed. Gunfire echoed through the halls.
"Boss! It's a strike from inside!" Vincent shouted, drawing a suppressed pistol. "The Don's quarters!"
Alessandro’s eyes darkened. "My father."
He grabbed Sophia by the arm and shoved her toward a secret door concealed within the bookshelf. "Stay here with the child. Don't move until I come back."
"Alessandro, wait!" Sophia cried out, calling him by his first name for the first time. But the hidden door clicked shut, locking them in darkness.
For thirty minutes, Sophia held a crying Emma, listening to the muffled sounds of chaos—shouting, heavy boots, and final, agonizing groans. When the secret door finally slid open, it wasn't Alessandro standing there.
It was Matteo Moretti—Alessandro’s bitter half-brother—surrounded by six armed men and two NYPD detectives.
"Well, well," Matteo smirked, his eyes cold and victorious. "Look what we found hiding in the rat hole."
"Where is Alessandro?" Sophia demanded, shielding Emma.
"Your lover is currently being hunted down," Matteo sneered. "And as for our father, the Don..." Matteo stepped aside to reveal a horrifying sight.
Old Don Moretti lay dead on the marble hallway, a silver dagger buried deep into his chest. Sitting right beside the body was Sophia's apron—drenched in fresh blood—and a vial of poison bearing her fingerprints.
"No... No! I didn't do this!" Sophia screamed, backing away. "I was in the study!"
"Save it for the judge, sweetheart," Detective Miller snapped, stepping forward with handcuffs. "We found your blood-soaked apron, your debt notes, and testimony from your ex-husband stating you were paid by a rival cartel to assassinate the Don."
"Marcus framed me! Matteo paid him!" Sophia begged, tears streaming down her face. "Please!"
"Mama!" Emma sobbed, clinging to her mother’s leg.
Matteo knelt down, snatching Emma’s stuffed rabbit and ripping its head off in front of her. "Take the murderer away. And send the brat to an orphanage."
May you like
"No! Leave my baby alone!" Sophia fought like a wild animal, biting the officer's hand, but she was smashed against the wall and cuffed tightly.
As she was dragged out through the burning estate, she saw Matteo smiling triumphant. She had been set up to take the fall for the ultimate sin in the underworld: patricide.
