Chapter 2: The Message That Changed Everything
The whispers followed Lena into the service corridor.
Her knees shook beneath Matteo’s heavy coat, but she kept walking until the hotel manager seized her arm.
“You’re fired,” he hissed.
“Give me the coat and leave through the kitchen.”
Lena pulled away.
“You saw what happened.”
“I saw an employee humiliate an important guest.”
“You mean Alisandre.”
His face drained of color.
“Lower your voice.”
The dining-room doors opened behind them.
Matteo stepped out, holding a folded napkin.
“Take your hand off her,” he said.
The manager released Lena at once.
Matteo opened the napkin.
It was empty.
“The capsule is gone,” Lena whispered.
“I know.” His gaze hardened.
“And the security recording from that room was erased three minutes ago.”
“Then no one will believe me.”
“I believe you.”
Before Lena could answer, her phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared:
ASK MATTEO WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SISTER.
Lena’s breath stopped.
She slowly raised the screen toward him.
Matteo read the message—and the color vanished from his face.
“What does this mean?” Lena demanded.
He looked toward the dining-room doors as Alisandre appeared behind the glass, smiling directly at them.
Then Matteo said the words Lena had waited years to hear.
“Your sister’s final night began in this hotel.”
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What did Matteo know about Lena’s sister—and why was Alisandre smiling?
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