The drive back felt different this time.
There was no urgency.
No argument.
Just silence.
But not the empty silence from before.
This one was full… of things left unsaid.
Veronica stared out the car window, but she wasn't paying attention to the view. Her mind was still in the hospital room.
On her father's cold hand.
On the lack of response.
On the doubt that now felt impossible to ignore.
"You're overthinking," Leon said, breaking the silence.
She didn't look at him.
"I always overthink."
"Today more than usual."
She let out a small sigh.
"Today I found out I might not even know my own father."
Leon didn't answer right away.
"That changes everything," she continued.
"Or it explains things that were already wrong."
Veronica slowly turned her head.
"You already suspected this, didn't you?"
He hesitated.
But didn't lie.
"Yes."
She held his gaze for a few seconds.
"And still… you didn't tell me."
"I wasn't sure."
"But you suspected."
"Yes."
She looked away again.
"I hate this."
"What?"
"The feeling that everyone knows more about my life than I do."
Silence returned for a moment.
But Leon answered:
"That changes now."
She frowned slightly.
"How?"
"You're inside it."
"I already was."
"But now you're aware."
She went quiet.
And for the first time… she agreed.
When they got back to the mansion, the atmosphere felt different.
Colder.
Sharper.
As if the house itself had changed after the break-in.
Veronica walked in first.
Stopped in the middle of the room.
Looked around.
"I don't feel safe here anymore."
The words came out quietly.
But honestly.
Leon closed the door behind them.
"I know."
"It's strange…" she said. "A place that's supposed to protect you… now feels exposed."
Leon walked to the table.
Picked up a few papers.
"Then we change that."
"How?"
He looked at her.
"By taking away the advantage from whoever's watching us."
Veronica crossed her arms.
"You already have something."
"I do."
"And you didn't tell me yet."
Leon took a breath.
"I wanted to be more certain."
"We're past that."
He nodded.
"Alright."
He placed the papers on the table.
"The investment fund… isn't just a front."
"I figured."
"It was created as a way to hide bigger decisions."
Veronica stepped closer.
"Decisions like what?"
"Who rises… and who falls."
A chill ran through her.
"Just like that man said."
"Exactly."
She looked down at the documents.
"And my father was involved in that."
Leon didn't answer.
But he didn't deny it either.
"And you?"
The question came sharp.
Leon looked up.
"What about me?"
"Was your family part of this too?"
Silence followed.
But not for long.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened.
"So you knew from the beginning."
"Not everything."
"But enough."
He nodded.
"And that's why you showed up."
"In part."
Veronica let out a humorless laugh.
"So none of this was a coincidence."
"Not entirely."
"I hate that."
Leon didn't respond.
Because there was no way to soften it.
"So what do we do now?"
Her voice was firmer now.
More decisive.
She didn't seem like the same person anymore.
There was something different in her.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Leon noticed.
"We prove it."
"Prove what?"
"That the fund is still active."
"And who's behind it."
She nodded.
"And that man?"
Leon rested his hands on the table.
"He's not at the top of this."
"You're sure?"
"I am."
"So he's just… a piece?"
"A piece with personal motives."
Veronica thought for a moment.
"He lost his family."
"Yes."
"So this isn't just strategy for him."
"No."
She took a breath.
"That makes him more dangerous."
Leon nodded.
"Much more."
Veronica's phone vibrated.
She looked down.
A name on the screen.
Daniel.
Her chest tightened for a second.
"Are you going to answer?" Leon asked.
She hesitated.
Then picked up.
"Hello."
"We need to talk."
Daniel's voice sounded different.
More serious.
More controlled.
"About what?"
"I found out who's behind this."
Veronica froze.
Looked at Leon.
"What do you mean?"
"It's not just about the Alighieri."
"I know."
"And it's not just about you."
"I know that too."
Silence on the other end for a second.
"So you're already deep into this."
"More than I wanted to be."
Daniel took a breath.
"Then listen carefully."
His voice dropped.
"That fund… it never ended."
Veronica tightened her grip on the phone.
"Go on."
"It's still active."
"And there are very powerful people involved."
"Who?"
Another pause.
"I can't say over the phone."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Daniel—"
"You need to trust me this time."
The words came fast.
Urgent.
Veronica opened her eyes.
Looked at Leon.
Then said:
"Where?"
The call ended.
Silence returned.
But now… filled with decision.
"Are you going?" Leon asked.
She took a few seconds.
Then answered:
"Yes."
"It could be a trap."
"I know."
"He might not be alone in this."
"I know."
Leon stepped a little closer.
"Then why go?"
She looked up.
And answered without hesitation:
"Because I need the truth."
Silence fell.
But this time… there was no doubt.
Only choice.
Leon nodded slowly.
"Then I'm going with you."
Veronica shook her head.
"No."
"That's not an option."
"Leon—"
"You're not going alone."
She held his gaze.
And for a moment…
She almost gave in.
But then she said:
"This is between me and him."
"Not anymore."
"For me, it is."
Silence stretched between them.
Tense.
Heavy.
"I can take care of myself," she said.
Leon replied immediately:
"That's not what I doubt."
"Then what?"
"I doubt his intentions."
She took a breath.
"So do I."
That made him pause.
"Then why go?"
She answered quietly:
"Because despite everything…"
She hesitated.
But continued:
"I still know him."
Silence fell again.
And this time…
Leon didn't respond.
Because deep down…
He understood.
This wasn't just about strategy.
It was about feeling.
And that…
Was the most unpredictable thing of all.