Chapter 12 - Why Rosa Took the Money
Victoria claimed Rosa had not accepted payment merely because she was threatened.
Richard also promised to protect Elena financially.
A hidden account received annual deposits for sixteen years.
Rosa withdrew little.
Most money remained untouched until medical bills consumed it near the end of her life.
Elena felt betrayed.
Rosa had told her they were poor.
They moved between small apartments.
Elena worked during school.
College ended when Rosa became ill.
All while Richard’s money sat inside an account.
Victoria watched her reaction.
“Rosa was not the saint you remember.”
Elena looked at the investigator.
“Show me the records.”
The bank statements revealed something Victoria had omitted.
Every deposit from Richard was followed by a payment from Rosa to a private investigator.
Rosa used the money to search for evidence.
She tracked Nicholas.
Collected police reports.
Purchased copies of Vale shipping records.
She had spent almost everything trying to learn whether it was safe to return Elena to Dante.
The untouched balance was reserved for Elena’s education.
Rosa’s illness consumed it only after Elena insisted on paying for treatment.
Rosa had not sold Elena.
She had used the enemy’s money to keep her alive and investigate him.
A final recorded message was found inside the account’s digital vault.
Rosa spoke directly to Elena.
I was afraid Dante would grow into the men around him. I watched from a distance. Some years, I believed I was wrong to keep you apart. Then another body appeared in the news, and fear won again.
I loved you selfishly because returning you meant losing you.
I am sorry.
Elena listened twice.
Grief did not disappear.
Rosa had lied.
She had also sacrificed her own life to protect a child under impossible conditions.
Both truths could exist.
Victoria attempted to use the emotion.
“Richard never intended to hurt you.”
Elena turned toward her.
“He paid Nicholas to open the gates.”
“He wanted commercial control.”
“My parents died.”
“That was Nicholas.”
“You helped maintain the company that paid him.”
Victoria became silent.
The investigator asked whether she knew Elena had survived.
Victoria admitted that Richard received reports for several years.
He knew Rosa kept the child alive.
He chose not to tell Dante because Elena’s existence could expose the original conspiracy.
After Richard died, Victoria found the files.
She also remained silent.
Elena leaned forward.
“You knew who I was when you ripped my uniform?”
Victoria shook her head.
“Not until I saw the locket.”
That made the assault even uglier.
Victoria had attacked a waitress without knowing her identity.
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Power mattered to her only when it stood behind the victim.
👉 Victoria’s confession connected the Vale family to Elena’s disappearance, but Nicholas still insisted Dante’s own father approved the attack.
