Chapter 2 - The Son Who Knew the Secret
The laundry room had never felt so small.
Ivy had faced angry supervisors.
Demanding guests.
Impossible work schedules.
But standing in front of Marco Castellano was different.
Because he wasn't angry.
That was worse.
He was quiet.
And powerful men became dangerous when they stopped showing emotion.
Marco stepped closer.
“Answer me.”
Ivy swallowed.
“It was inside a jacket.”
“Whose jacket?”
“Mrs. Castellano’s.”
His eyes narrowed.
“My mother’s?”
“Yes.”
Rafael immediately interrupted.
“Marco, she doesn't know anything.”
Marco looked at him.
“I wasn't asking you.”
The room went silent.
Ivy noticed something strange.
The man everyone feared wasn't looking at her like a thief.
He looked afraid.
That confused her.
“I was going to return it,” Ivy said.
Marco looked at the ring again.
“Why?”
The question surprised her.
“Because it belongs to your family.”
“You could have sold it.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I didn't.”
“Why?”
Ivy stared at him.
“Because stealing from desperate people doesn't make desperation disappear.”
Something changed in his expression.
Almost invisible.
Respect.
But only for a second.
Marco extended his hand.
“Give me the ring.”
Ivy hesitated.
Then placed it in his palm.
The moment he touched it, his face changed.
Not like a businessman.
Like a son.
“This ring belonged to my grandfather.”
Ivy stayed quiet.
Marco continued.
“He gave it to my grandmother before they were married.”
“So why was it hidden?”
He looked at her.
“That’s the question.”
Before Ivy could respond, another voice entered.
“Marco?”
Adriana Castellano stood at the doorway.
Perfect dress.
Perfect posture.
But the moment she saw the ring…
she stopped breathing.
For the first time Ivy had ever seen…
Adriana looked old.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
“Where did you find that?”
Marco turned.
“The laundry room.”
Adriana looked at Ivy.
“Did you open it?”
Ivy shook her head.
“No.”
“Did you tell anyone?”
“No.”
Adriana studied her.
“You understand what you found?”
Ivy nodded.
“A valuable ring.”
Adriana looked at Marco.
“No.”
Her voice became softer.
“She found something much more dangerous.”
Marco’s expression hardened.
“Mother.”
Adriana ignored him.
She walked toward Ivy.
“Tell me exactly where it was.”
“In the jacket lining.”
“Show me.”
Ivy pointed.
“Inside a hidden stitch.”
Adriana closed her eyes.
Like she had been waiting decades for someone to say those words.
Marco noticed.
“Mother?”
Adriana opened her eyes.
“Your father didn't lose this ring.”
Silence.
Marco froze.
“What?”
“He hid it.”
“Why?”
Adriana looked toward the hallway.
“Because he was afraid someone would discover the truth.”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
“My father died twenty years ago.”
“Yes.”
“Then what truth?”
Adriana looked at Ivy.
And Ivy suddenly realized something.
She wasn't supposed to be there.
She wasn't supposed to know.
But now she did.
Adriana whispered:
May you like
“The truth about who your father really was.”
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