Chapter 4 The Weight Of Secrets

The solemn hush of St. Michael's Church was broken only by the faint crackling of candle flames and the distant hum of the city outside. Emilia's footsteps echoed against the stone floor as she made her way through the nave, with her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. The weight of uncertainty pressed against her chest, it was heavy and suffocating.

Father Gabriel had always been a figure of quiet strength in her life, he was a steady presence in a world that had often felt cruel and unpredictable to her. But tonight, there was something different about him. The lines on his face were more pronounced, his usual air of calm was laced with something she could only describe as dread.

He waited for her at the front of the church, beneath the watchful gaze of a stained-glass archangel. He didn't speak at first, he merely gestured for her to sit. Emilia hesitated before lowering herself onto the polished wooden pew, and her heartbeat hammered against her ribs.

"You came," he murmured. His voice was heavy with meaning.

"You gave me no choice," she said, as she forced herself to steel into her tone, though her hands were trembling in her lap. "Tell me what you know."

The priest exhaled slowly, as if he was also steeling himself for what was to come. "Your father's death was not a tragic accident, Emilia." His eyes, they were filled with the burden of past sins when they met hers. "It was a betrayal."

She stiffened, the words cutting through her like a blade. "I already know that," she said, though the bitterness in her voice did little to mask the pain. "What I don't know is who betrayed him. And why."

Father Gabriel hesitated, his fingers pressing together in a silent prayer. Then, with a heavy breath, he spoke.

"The Lombardi family was responsible."

A heavy silence fell between them. For a moment, Emilia could only hear the blood rushing in her ears, drowning out everything else.

She had suspected it. Feared it. But hearing it confirmed everything, and it sent a fresh wave of rage and grief crashing through her.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, barely able to trust her own voice.

The priest nodded. "I was there the night the decision was made. Your father was a man of integrity, Emilia. He had seen things; he knew things that put him at odds with powerful people. The Lombardis' feared that if he spoke out, he could ruin them. And so, they silenced him."

Emilia clenched her fists as her nails dug into her palms. "And you said nothing?"

Father Gabriel's face twisted with guilt. " Forgive me child, I was a coward," he admitted. "I told myself that keeping silent would protect more lives. But my silence only ensured that the Lombardis' power remained unchallenged... and that you were left alone in the world."

She turned away, blinking rapidly. There was no way she would let him see her cry. Not now. She didn't want his pity.

"I need proof," she said after a moment. Her voice was steadier than how she felt. "Rumors mean nothing. If I confront them, I need evidence."

Father Gabriel reached inside his coat and pulled out a weathered envelope. He handed it to her with a solemn expression. "This contains documents, letters, and photographs. They are evidence of the betrayal. It names names, Emilia." His voice dropped lower. "It proves beyond a doubt who gave the order to have your father eliminated."

Her hands shook as she took it, she felt its weight as though it carried the full burden of her father's ghost.

"Adrian Lombardi."

The name left her lips before she had time to stop it.

Father Gabriel's expression darkened. "Be careful around him, Emilia."

She looked up sharply. "Do you think he's involved?"

There was a long pause. Then, he shook his head. "No. Not directly. But he's still a Lombardi. You need to stay away from him. For your own safety."

Emilia swallowed hard as memories of Adrian flashed through her mind, the way he had taunted her, the way he had looked at her as if he could see something beneath her carefully built walls.

Did he know?

Had he been playing her all along?

"I won't be careful," she said, standing abruptly with her grip tightening on the envelope. "I'm going to find out the truth."

Father Gabriel sighed heavily, and his gaze became filled with worry. "Then you must prepare yourself, Emilia. Once you open that door, there is no going back."

She knew he was right.

But she had already made her choice.

Outside the Church, there was a Watchful Presence

And as Emilia stepped out into the cool Chicago night, with the envelope clutched tightly against her chest, she failed to notice the figure standing in the shadows across the street.

Adrian Lombardi leaned against his sleek black Maserati. His expression was unreadable as he watched her. He had been trailing her since she left her flower stall, and his instincts whispered that something wasn't right.

When she had walked into St. Michael's Church, he knew.

Something had changed in the air, about her.

She was looking for answers. And that could be a problem.

He tightened his jaw. He didn't know what exactly she had learned tonight, but if it had anything to do with her father, it wouldn't end well.

For her.

Or for him.

Emilia paused at the church's entrance, with her fingers curling around the envelope as if sensing she was being watched. She scanned the street, but Adrian was already gone, he melted into the night like a shadow.

She exhaled sharply and turned, walking briskly toward her apartment.

Adrian stayed in the darkness a moment longer, as his mind raced with so many thoughts.

This was no longer just a game of push and pull between them.

She was stepping onto dangerous ground.

And if she got too close to the truth...

Adrian wasn't sure whether he'd be able to protect her.

Or if he'd be the one forced to stop her.