Chapter 11
His name was Luca Bellandi.
My father’s first son.
Born before my parents married.
I had heard the name once as a child.
My grandmother slapped a servant for saying it.
After that, nobody did.
Elena knew because Matteo told her.
Not kindly.
As a threat.
“Luca was supposed to replace you,” she said.
I stared.
“Where is he?”
“Alive.”
Adrian looked toward the floor.
Again.
He knew.
“How long have you known?”
He whispered, “Most of my life.”
I almost laughed.
Every room in my family seemed built over another secret.
“Why was I told he died?”
Elena answered.
“Your father exiled him.”
“Why?”
“Luca sided with a rival faction when he was young.”
I looked at the old captains.
Samuel finally spoke.
“Your father believed bringing him back would split Bellandi blood.”
“And Matteo?”
“Believed Luca could be controlled.”
Of course.
Another hidden relative turned into political equipment.
“Was Luca part of Elena’s disappearance?”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
“Then why name him?”
“Because Matteo planned to bring him back after you stepped aside.”
I understood.
Elena’s public “death” would weaken me.
The second council would manage the organization.
Luca would be introduced as older Bellandi blood.
A compromise candidate.
And Julian—no, Adrian—would remain between factions as indispensable.
I looked at him.
“You planned to replace me with my brother.”
Adrian shook his head.
“Matteo planned it.”
“And you continued the council.”
“I abandoned Luca.”
“Why?”
No answer.
I saw it.
“Because you wanted the chair eventually.”
His face hardened.
Finally.
No more layers.
No more protective cousin.
No more man trapped by Matteo’s choices.
Adrian had spent years benefiting from the conspiracy even after abandoning its original endpoint.
Luca became unnecessary.
May you like
Elena remained useful.
And I remained a boss surrounded by men quietly measuring how much grief made me easier to steer.
