The Moretti Heiress

Silence.

Like an explosion in reverse—everything in the Moretti mansion fell eerily still.

The Morettis were stunned. Every single one of them frozen in disbelief. The Martinez family stood tense—every muscle taut, jaws clenched, eyes dark.

"They killed Mother," Kayden repeated, his voice hoarse but steady, as if saying it aloud burned just as much as holding it in.

Serena's lips parted, her throat suddenly bone dry. "Kayden..."

He didn't look at anyone else.

Just her.

"It happened eight years ago," he said, like a confession he'd carried in his ribcage for far too long. "I was nine."

And just like that, the walls cracked.

Flashback – 8 Years Ago

"Honey, I don't think you should go to work today. The weather's shit—it's gonna pour," Diego said, adjusting the collar of his shirt while watching thunderclouds roll over the skyline from their penthouse window.

"I can't miss work, Diego. I have a lecture at 10 a.m. and my students need me," Samantha Martinez said, walking in, radiant as ever, her heels clicking against the marble like a quiet drumbeat of confidence.

Diego sighed. "One day off won't kill you, Samanth—"

She leaned in and kissed him, cutting off the sentence with soft finality. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

At the dining table, two boys groaned like they were dying.

"Mom! Seriously?" Kayden whined, hiding behind his cereal bowl.

Noah, twelve, made a dramatic gagging noise. "Ew! Get a room!"

"Shoo, little gremlins," Diego chuckled.

"You're both my little gremlins," Samantha said fondly, ruffling Noah's hair until he yelped and planting a kiss on Kayden's forehead.

"Be good today, okay?"

"Mom!" Kayden grumbled, cheeks going pink.

She grabbed her purse, then paused when Kayden spoke again.

"Hey, Mom?"

"Hm?"

"Can we go to the new amusement park when you come back? The one with the roller coaster that goes upside down?"

"And the cotton candy!" Noah shouted, practically bouncing.

Samantha's smile was sunshine. She looked at them like she was saving the moment, tucking it inside her heart for safekeeping.

"It's a plan then."

"I'll even buy the shitty cotton candy," Diego grinned. "Family day."

With one last wave, she was gone.

The boys went off to school. The world still whole. Still bright.

Time Skip – 3:07 p.m.

Diego picked up a call from the boys' school.

"Mr. Martinez?"

"Speaking."

"Sorry to bother you, sir. Mrs. Martinez didn't show up to pick the boys today. Could you come?"

Diego frowned. "What?"