Chapter 3 - GABRIEL’S LAST YEAR
Dominic had not spoken his brother’s name inside the estate for months.
Not because he avoided grief.
Because Gabriel had become history.
Twelve years changed sharp pain into architecture.
Gabriel Bellini had been younger by three years.
Less interested in the family business.
More interested in medicine, motorcycles, and women who disliked Dominic.
He died in a car crash at thirty-five.
No wife.
No acknowledged child.
Dominic buried him beside their mother.
That was the official story.
The unofficial one was messier.
Gabriel had spent his final year trying to leave Chicago.
Dominic believed it was because they had argued.
Maybe not.
Michael pulled old records.
Travel.
Financial statements.
Phone numbers.
One appeared repeatedly:
DR. EVELYN MERCER.
Dominic remembered her.
Oncologist?
No.
Fertility specialist.
That surprised him.
“What was Gabriel doing with a fertility doctor?”
Grace looked over the records.
“Maybe she treated someone he knew.”
“Find her.”
Evelyn Mercer was alive.
Sixty-seven.
Retired.
Living in Vermont.
She answered Grace’s call cautiously.
Then heard Gabriel’s name.
Silence.
“Who is asking?”
“Counsel for Dominic Bellini.”
Longer silence.
“I have nothing to say.”
Grace replied:
“There is a minor child involved.”
That changed everything.
Evelyn agreed to speak through her own attorney.
Two days later, a video conference.
Dominic sat beside Grace.
Evelyn appeared on-screen.
Silver hair.
Careful eyes.
She looked tired before anyone asked a question.
Dominic began:
“Did my brother have a child?”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Grace said:
“You do not have to answer anything protected by law.”
Evelyn’s attorney spoke.
“We can discuss certain information because the patient left written authorization contingent on circumstances involving a minor.”
Dominic’s pulse changed.
Gabriel had planned something.
Evelyn opened a folder.
“Your brother was in a relationship.”
“With whom?”
“I cannot give the name yet.”
“Why?”
“Because she requested privacy.”
Dominic stared.
“Is she alive?”
Evelyn hesitated.
“No.”
His chest tightened.
“And the child?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“Gabriel had a child.”
“Yes.”
“A son?”
“Yes.”
“How old?”
“Ten.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
Ethan Mercer.
Probably.
Then Grace stopped him.
“Do not assume.”
Correct.
Evelyn continued.
“Gabriel knew about the pregnancy.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
Evelyn looked directly into the camera.
“Because he believed someone in your family would try to take the child.”
Dominic’s face hardened.
“Who?”
“He never gave me a name.”
“Did he mean me?”
Evelyn paused.
“He was afraid of the Bellini system.”
Not answer.
Maybe worse.
Dominic sat back.
Gabriel had feared the world Dominic helped maintain.
That truth hurt.
“Where is the boy?”
Evelyn’s attorney interrupted.
“Until identity and guardianship are handled appropriately, we are not disclosing location.”
Dominic almost laughed.
“I already know Hawthorne Preparatory may be involved.”
Evelyn’s face changed.
There.
Enough.
“Veronica found him.”
Evelyn whispered:
“What?”
Dominic held up the lab report.
“Did you authorize DNA testing?”
“No.”
“Did the child’s guardian?”
“I don’t know.”
Another adult entered the call.
A woman.
Early forties.
Dark hair.
She introduced herself.
“Laura Mercer.”
Dominic stared.
Same surname.
“My daughter,” Evelyn said.
Laura looked frightened.
Then angry.
“Ethan is my son.”
Not biological.
Dominic heard it.
“How?”
Laura answered:
“My sister was his mother.”
There it was.
Evelyn’s deceased daughter.
Gabriel’s relationship.
The boy was likely Gabriel’s son.
Dominic asked:
“Did Veronica contact you?”
Laura’s face tightened.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Four months ago.”
“What did she say?”
“That she was engaged to Ethan’s uncle.”
Dominic felt sick.
“She told you about me.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“She said you wanted Ethan tested before deciding whether to acknowledge him.”
Dominic stared.
“I never knew he existed.”
Laura looked shocked.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Veronica had spoken using Dominic’s authority.
Again.
Laura continued:
“She said the family trust required proof.”
Dominic looked at Grace.
Family trust.
There it was.
“What trust?”
Laura went pale.
“You don’t know?”
Dominic’s expression changed.
“Know what?”
Laura reached for a folder.
“Gabriel left Ethan a trust.”
That was expected.
Then:
“But it doesn’t activate unless Dominic Bellini personally acknowledges him as Bellini blood.”
Dominic stared.
Veronica had not simply found a hidden child.
May you like
She had found a trust requiring Dominic.
And she had been building a path to control both.
