Chapter 12 - closer to the truth
Dominic pulled out his father's historical family ledgers to insert Lily's official birth registration papers.
As he lifted the heavy leather ledger, his fingers caught on a small, concealed compartment at the bottom of the iron box—a false bottom that had remained hidden for fifteen years.
Dominic pulled out his pocket knife, prying open the velvet lining.
Inside the false compartment lay an uncreased manila envelope sealed with red wax, an antique brass key stamped with the number 104, and a black-and-white photograph taken thirty years ago.
Dominic picked up the photograph, bringing it under the desk lamp.
His pulse stopped dead in his chest.
The photograph showed his father, Don Carmine Vescari, standing outside a grand stone estate in Rome, Italy, thirty years ago. Carmine was holding an infant in his arms.
Standing beside Carmine was an extraordinarily beautiful woman with dark hair and blue eyes—a woman who looked identical to Claire's late mother.
Dominic turned the photograph over. Written on the back in his father's dark cursive handwriting was a single sentence:
The true bloodline charter was signed in Rome. Dominic and Claire must never know the secret of 1996.
Dominic’s grey-blue eyes narrowed into dark slits. "The secret of 1996?"
He picked up the red wax-sealed envelope and broke the seal. Inside was an official European adoption decree issued by the Vatican Civil Court in Rome, dated October 14, 1996.
Dominic scanned the Latin text rapidly, his heart hammering against his ribs like a sledgehammer.
The adoption decree stated that thirty years ago, Carmine Vescari and Don Bellini had shared a joint legal partnership over an international shipping syndicate operating out of Marseilles, France.
And tucked beneath the adoption decree was a second photograph taken just three weeks ago outside a luxury hotel in Paris.
Dominic zoomed in on the high-definition photograph using his desk loupe.
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Standing in the center of the frame was a silver-haired man in an expensive black wool overcoat—a man who looked identical to his "dead" father, Don Carmine Vescari.
And standing right beside Carmine in Paris was a ten-year-old boy with dark-brown hair and striking grey-blue eyes—a boy who looked exactly like Dominic when he was ten years old.
