Seraphina's POV
I march into St. Aldo's Cathedral, my boots echoing on the stone floor. The adoption certificate's in my pocket, burning like a hot coal. Father Enzo's note said trust no one, but he's the only one who might know who I am. That photo of me as a toddler with a stranger, the name Elena Moretti, and now Natalia's call from "The Queen's Heir", it's all tied together, and I'm done guessing.
Father Enzo's at the altar, lighting candles. His robes swish as he turns, his eyes sharp. "Seraphina," he says, his voice soft. "You're here early."
I pull out the certificate and hold it up. "Explain this," I say, my voice shaking. "Elena Moretti. My mother. Why didn't anyone tell me?"
He steps closer, his face calm but sad. "Sit," he says, pointing to a pew. "It's time you know."
I don't sit. "No games, Father. Tell me now."
He sighs, folding his hands. "You were adopted. Elena Moretti was your birth mother. She was… close to Giuliano Moretti."
My heart stops. "Giuliano? The guy Luca's meeting? Natalia's working with?"
Enzo nods, his voice low. "Yes. Elena was his sister. She gave you up to protect you from his world."
I stumble back, my legs weak. "Protect me? Then why's my family's seal on a killer's pocket? Why's Natalia calling him 'The Queen's Heir'?"
Enzo's eyes darken. "Giuliano's dangerous. He wants power, and you're part of his plan."
I clench my fists, my head spinning. "What plan? Tell me!"
He shakes his head. "I don't know it all. But you're not safe, Seraphina. Not with Luca, not with your father."
I turn away, my chest tight. I'm not a Calabrese. I'm a Moretti. And Giuliano's using me for something. I need to find Luca, now.
I'm back at the penthouse, my mind a mess. Luca's in the living room, sipping whiskey, his tie loose. He stands when he sees me, his green eyes searching mine. "You're upset," he says. "What happened?"
I step closer, my voice sharp. "You tell me, Luca. You're meeting Giuliano Moretti. My real mother was his sister. Start talking."
His face hardens, but he doesn't flinch. "I don't know about your mother," he says. "But I'm not hiding Giuliano. I'm working with him to keep the peace."
I laugh, bitter. "Peace? You're in a pact with him! I heard you!"
He grabs my arms, gentle but firm. "Listen to me, Seraphina. I love you. I didn't plan this, but I do. Trust me."
I yank free, my heart racing. "Love me? You're lying, Luca. You've been lying since the wedding."
His eyes flash, hurt but angry. "You think I want this? I'm trying to protect you!"
"Protect me?" I snap. "From what? Your pact? My family? Or your sister, who's selling you out?"
He freezes. "What about Natalia?"
I hesitate, but I'm too mad to stop. "She's with Moretti. I saw her give him a USB drive."
Luca's jaw tightens, and he turns away, his hands clenched. "Damn it," he mutters. "I'll handle her."
I grab his arm. "Handle her? What about me? Am I just a pawn to you?"
He looks at me, his voice low. "You're my wife. That's real."
I want to believe him, but I can't. Not with everything piling up. "Prove it," I say, then walk out.
I'm in the kitchen, trying to calm down, when Isla slips in. Her curly hair's messy, and she's got her tablet. "You need to know something," she says, her voice low. "Calabrese safehouses got hit last night. Someone gave Moretti dossiers, locations, plans, everything."
My stomach drops. "Natalia," I say. "She's working with him."
Isla nods, her glasses slipping. "I tracked her. She's been feeding him info for weeks."
I clench my fists. "Why? What's she getting out of it?"
Isla shrugs. "Power, maybe. Or revenge. She hates Luca's control."
I pace, my mind racing. Natalia's betraying Luca, but Luca's tied to Moretti too. And I'm a Moretti by blood. "We need to stop her," I say. "Before she ruins everything."
Isla hesitates. "I'm trying, but my boss wants more proof. I can't move yet."
I stop, staring at her. "Your boss? Who are you working for, Isla?"
She looks away, her voice quiet. "Just… people who want the truth."
I don't push, but I don't trust her. She's playing her own game, just like everyone else. "Find me proof," I say. "Or I'm going to Luca."
She nods and leaves, but I feel like I'm drowning. I need Dante. I grab my phone and call him.
"Sera," he answers, his voice rough. "You okay?"
"No," I say, my voice breaking. "Safehouses got hit. Natalia's with Moretti. And I… I'm not a Calabrese, Dante. I'm adopted."
He's quiet for a second. "What? Sera, slow down."
"I can't," I say. "I need you. Can you come to the penthouse?"
"I'm on my way," he says. "Hang tight."
We hang up, and I feel a little better, but not much. Dante's my only real ally, but even he doesn't know everything. I need to confront Natalia, but first, I need to figure out what Moretti wants with me.
I'm in the bedroom, pacing, when Luca knocks. He steps in, his face softer now. "Seraphina," he says, "we need to talk. About Natalia."
I cross my arms. "You believe me now?"
He nods, running a hand through his hair. "I checked her phone. She's been texting Moretti. I don't know why, but I'll stop her."
I step closer, my voice sharp. "Stop her? She's already given him everything! Our safehouses are gone, Luca!"
He grabs my shoulders, his voice urgent. "I know, and I'm fixing it. But I need you with me, Seraphina. We're a team."
I pull away, my heart torn. "A team? You're still hiding things. What's your pact with Moretti?"
He looks at me, his eyes pleading. "It's complicated. But it's not about you. I swear."
I shake my head, my voice cold. "I don't believe you."
He steps back, his face tight. "Then we're done talking."
He walks out, and I'm alone, my chest aching. I want to trust him, but every time I try, something new breaks.
I'm sitting on the bed, trying to think, when my phone pings. It's an email, from an address I don't know, just numbers and letters. The subject says, Your Truth. My hands shake as I open it. There's no message, just an attachment. I click it, and a file loads, a DNA report.
I scan the words, my heart stopping. Seraphina Calabrese. 100% match to Giuliano Moretti. Paternal. My breath catches. Giuliano's not just my mother's brother. He's my father.