Chapter 66: The shadows of confession
The stream still shimmered under the haunting light of the blood moon, its rippling surface reflecting the red glow like liquid fire.
Alessia’s hand trembled as droplets slid down her wrist, leaving a chill that seeped straight into her bones.
She felt it... The shift, the awakening.
Her father’s diary echoed in her mind.
The red moon blood child realizes herself when her hand touches the stream of purity...
And she had just done it.
Her chest rose and fell sharply.
Did that mean every wish she made now would come true? Did that mean her words alone could bend the very fabric of nature?
She remembered how her father had snatched the diary away before she could read more.
His face pale, his eyes shadowed with a fear she had never understood then.
The door had slammed in her face, his voice trembling as he told her never to step foot in his study again.
Had her parents known?
Had they realized she was the cursed child marked by the blood moon?
Her lips parted as she whispered to herself, If they knew, why didn’t they ever tell me?.
A new thought sparked reckless, dangerous, impossible to silence.
"Then let me test it," she murmured, her breath fogging the cool night air.
She closed her eyes, lifted her face to the sky, and let her voice carry into the silence.
"I wish the suspicious truth about Luca’s mother be revealed this night. Let the darkness lose its grip. Let what’s hidden be dragged into light."
The words left her mouth like a vow sealed by fire.
For a moment, nothing.
Then the clouds began to stir, swallowing the red moon in their shadows.
The forest hushed, as though listening.
Alessia’s heart raced was this a sign, or was it her imagination?
Her thoughts shattered when Ryan’s voice pierced the silence.
"Ma’am, My boss Luca has been searching for you. He says it’s urgent."
She spun around, startled.
His torchlight glinted off his sharp features as he bowed slightly.
"Urgent".. The word pricked at her.
Should she tell Luca what she had done? Should she confess she had summoned destiny itself to unveil his mother’s secrets?
Her lips pressed into a thin line. Not yet, she thought. As time goes on... maybe. But not now.
"I’ll come," she murmured, forcing composure as she walked behind Ryan.
Her hands curled into fists, the taste of her wish still heavy on her tongue.
She didn’t know yet if she had saved them or doomed them.
The palace of Virenkai loomed in the distance, its spires cutting against the crimson sky.
Shadows crawled along its walls like restless spirits.
*****
Far from there, in the Morano estate, betrayal was already in motion.
Lauren adjusted the strap of his small bag, his breath heavy as he leapt over the stone fence.
The sharp edge tore at his palm, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Damn it," he hissed, clutching his hand.
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Uuhh... my hand hurts. But pain means nothing. Tonight is worth it."
The phone in his pocket vibrated.
He pulled it out and read the message.
’Bring the documents. Let’s meet at Old Cargo Lonely Street. Before they return’.
His pulse quickened.
They couldn’t wait for Luca to come back.
They had to strike now, while the Moranos were distracted.
Lauren’s lips curved into a grin. This is my moment.
He began to walk, the night swallowing him in its shadows.
His shoes crunched against gravel as he trekked toward the address, every step quickened by greed and adrenaline.
And then.. he saw her.
A woman in a long black dress, her silhouette framed by the dim glow of a streetlamp. Her hair, like ink, shimmered against the light, and her lips curled into a smile that dripped with wicked delight.
It was his mother.
"Darling son," she said, her voice a melody sharpened by venom.
She stepped forward, cupping his face with cold hands before looking at the bag he carried. "A job well done, my love."
Lauren’s chest swelled with pride. "Everything is going according to plan, Mother."
She leaned closer, whispering into his ear, her voice trembling with excitement. "I have called him. . He is on his way."
Lauren’s eyes lit up. "Marcus Harper?"
"Yes." Her grin widened, dark and satisfied.
"The Atlan’s right hand will be here to collect it from us. And once it leaves our hands... the Moranos will never rise again."
Lauren laughed, his heart racing at the thought of their victory.
"We will go on a lot of vacations, Mum. We will leave this life of shadows behind."
She smiled indulgently, brushing her hand across his cheek like he was still a boy. "Yes, my son. But first, let’s finish what we started."
Moments later, two black cars with tinted windows rolled silently into the street.
Their engines hummed like predators circling prey.
Lauren’s stomach twisted not with fear, but with a thrill he couldn’t name.
The car doors opened.
And Marcus Harper stepped out.
The man was dressed in black from head to toe, his sharp gaze like a blade cutting through the dark.
He adjusted the cuffs of his suit before walking toward them, his steps deliberate, his expression unreadable.
"Lauren," Marcus greeted, his tone clipped. His eyes flicked to the bag. "You have it?"
Lauren’s throat went dry. He tightened his hold on the strap.
His mother answered for him, stepping forward with that same mischievous smile. "Yes, Marcus. We kept it safe... just as promised."
Marcus’s gaze lingered on her, sharp and cold. "Then give it to me."
Lauren shifted, doubt flickering for the first time.
The air around them felt heavier, as though something unseen watched, waiting.
His mother’s fingers grazed the bag, but she did not hand it over yet.
Her eyes gleamed with a hidden plan. "First... a word."
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. "i am for Luca Morano not for the Atlans?"
"The Morano bloodline," she whispered, her voice laced with poison. "The truth that even Luca does not know. You and I both understand what these documents mean. Power, Legacy And destruction seraphina wants to get a share in the property, if she deals with you people she will be willing to pay higher than the if she deals with us. If you want it, Marcus... then swear your loyalty not to Luca, but to us."
The street went silent. The only sound was the faint hum of the cars’ engines.
Lauren’s heart pounded. His wish for freedom, wealth, recognition, it was here, within reach.
But Marcus Harper’s lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile.
"You think Luca doesn’t already know?" he asked softly.
Lauren froze.
His mother stiffened, her eyes narrowing. "What are you saying?"
Marcus leaned closer, his voice sharp as a blade. "I’m saying... the devil you’re trying to outwit has already outplayed you. Luca sent me for this very reason. I pretended to be from the Atlans but I’m for Luca.. He knew you would betray him and something was fishy about your son sudden show up claiming luca as his father. "
The words struck like thunder.
Lauren’s grip faltered.
His pulse hammered
. His mother’s smile faded into fury.
"No..." she hissed. "That’s impossible. Luca couldn’t.... "
Marcus’s eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "Luca Morano doesn’t trust anyone, not even his shadow and tonight, you have proven him right."
The tension snapped like glass.
From the second car, men poured out, More of Luca’s guards, their guns raised, their eyes locked on Lauren and his mother.
Lauren’s stomach dropped.
He realized too late, he hadn’t betrayed the Moranos. The Moranos had set a trap for him.
Marcus’s gloved fingers closed around the envelope.. Opening the documents., the crest of the Moranos etched upon its flap.
He lifted it, weighing it in his hands, his gaze never leaving Lauren and his mother.
Then he laughed. A cold, cutting laugh that rang against the empty street.
"You fools," Marcus drawled, his voice sharp as broken glass. "Do you think you can outplay Luca Morano? This... " he held up the documents, "is nothing but a replica.... A fake document papers, You walked right into his trap, twice."
Lauren’s heart plummeted.
His mouth opened, but no words came.
Marcus took a deliberate step closer, his eyes burning with ruthless amusement. "You and your sons have fallen for nearly every snare my boss laid out. And now..." His smile widened. "You will be detained until my boss and his wife return from their journey.
Consider it a mercy. Yoh could have been executed here and now."
Guards moved in, their boots striking the pavement like thunder.
Lauren’s mother’s face drained of color, but she refused to show fear.
She lifted her chin, her lips curling into defiance.
"You think Luca can hold us forever?" she spat.
Marcus’s smirk only deepened. "Forever? No. But long enough for him to decide whether you’re worth more alive... or dead."
The guards seized them, dragging them toward the waiting cars.
Lauren’s protests echoed, but his mother’s silence cut sharper than his cries.
Marcus turned away, sliding into his car with the false documents.
His last words hung heavy in the air:
"Don’t joke with Luca Morano."
*****
Alessia walked quietly beside Ryan, her thoughts spinning like a storm.
Her wish.. her reckless, whispered demand to the red moon had already begun unraveling truths and setting traps.
She could feel it in her bones.
As they neared the palace steps, Luca emerged from the shadows, his presence overwhelming, commanding.
His eyes locked on her immediately, narrowing with a mix of worry and irritation.
"Alessia." His voice was low, roughened with restrained fury.
Ryan bowed his head quickly and slipped away, leaving them alone.
"Where have you been?" Luca demanded, striding toward her, his tall frame radiating authority.
His hands gripped her arms, not harshly, but firmly enough to make her feel the weight of his words. "This place is dangerous. You shouldn’t be wandering alone. If I’m not with you, one of my men should be. Do you understand, my lady?"
His protectiveness, his dominance it both irritated and melted her.
She met his eyes, steady but soft. "I wasn’t alone, Luca. Ryan was with me." she lied.
"That isn’t enough," he growled. His hand slid down to her wrist, tightening around it possessively. "You belong with me. Always with me."
Her breath caught, but before she could answer, his tone shifted. "Come. My mother and the king of Virenkai have something to say."
He led her inside, his grip unyielding as though afraid she might slip from his grasp again.
They entered the grand chamber, its torches flickering against walls etched with strange markings.
The king of Virenkai sat at the head of the hall, his gaze heavy, his posture regal.
Luca’s mother sat to the side, her expression unreadable.
"Sit," the king commanded.
They obeyed, though Luca’s jaw remained clenched, suspicion gleaming in his eyes.
The king leaned forward, his voice deep, echoing with age and authority.
"It is time to let the cat out of the bag.... I am late Morano Alessandro’s twin brother, that’s your father."...