After My Father Was Murdered, I Thought He Was My Savior Chapter 04
The next morning, sunlight fell across my face through the glass.
The moment I opened my eyes, I met Rinaldo’s focused gaze.
He bent down and kissed my forehead.
“Valentina, were you upset last night? I’m sorry. I drank too much at the family meeting. I promise it won’t happen again.”
His tone was as gentle as always.
I answered faintly, then hid in the bathroom and washed his scent off my skin.
The dining table was covered with an exquisite Italian breakfast.
In the past, I would have been moved for a long time at the sight of it.
But after seeing his phone, I could no longer smile.
Every dish on that table suited Noemi’s taste.
The doorbell rang.
Noemi Ricci walked in wearing the latest couture dress.
She sat naturally at the table and smiled at me.
“Valentina, sorry to bother you. This morning, the Don and I are going to hand off a shipment. He told me to come eat breakfast first.”
I stared at the premium access card in her hand, identical to mine, and said nothing.
Rinaldo sensed that something was wrong and leaned close to explain softly, “Noemi is one of the people we trust most. It’s normal for her to have estate access…”
Before he could finish, he suddenly stood nervously and snatched the hot espresso from beside Noemi’s hand.
“Your blood pressure runs low. You can’t drink strong espresso. After all these years, you still don’t pay attention.”
Noemi pressed her lips together and smiled.
“Yes. Luckily, you always remember.”
The moment their eyes met, the air around us seemed to freeze.
I stood to leave, but Noemi called out to me.
“Valentina, today’s body restoration needs professional documentation. Can you come help take photos? I don’t trust the new forensic specialist.”
Ever since my father died so brutally, I had never touched a camera again.
As soon as I looked through a viewfinder, I remembered the way my father taught me to capture evidence.
I remembered his unwillingness as he was tortured.
I could no longer press the shutter.
Rinaldo knew that very well.
He had locked away all my photography equipment and said I could start again when I was ready.
But now, without listening to my side, he pushed me into the back seat of the armored car.
“Valentina, you know Noemi gets carsick. Put up with the back seat.”
He had forgotten that after those escapes, my vertigo had become far worse than Noemi’s.
The entire ride made me nauseous.
When we reached the morgue, Rinaldo carefully checked Noemi’s protective gear and personally led her into the restoration area.
I leaned against the car door and gasped for breath, trying to force down the nausea.
“Valentina, the restoration is about to begin. Stop being difficult. This documentation is important to Noemi and the godfather family.”
Rinaldo forcefully pulled me inside.
I lost my balance, and my equipment nearly spilled everywhere.
For the first time in five years, I picked up a camera again.
Fear surged over me like a tide.
My fingers shook beyond my control.
I forced myself to calm down and documented the restoration process again and again.
During the break, only Noemi and I were left.
She looked at the images I had taken with contempt, the corner of her mouth curving into a cold smile.
“Valentina, you’re as useless as your father. He couldn’t even hide his undercover identity, yet he dared enter the mafia. A mouse on the battlefield like him was never worthy of Sicily’s godfather.”
I gripped the camera tightly.
My knuckles turned white as I fought to suppress the rage about to explode out of me.
The next second, my face burned with pain.
Noemi withdrew her hand, her eyes full of contempt.
“You really think you deserve to hold the title of Godmother? I never thought you’d move so quickly after Tommaso dumped you and hook up with Rinaldo. You don’t deserve him. Whether it’s Tommaso or Rinaldo, they’ll always be mine. You’ll never be worthy.”
My face was still numb.
Before I could react, Noemi suddenly grabbed my hand and used the momentum to throw herself onto the floor.
She curled up and rolled on the ground, instantly turning into a pitiful victim.
“Sister Valentina, I wasn’t saying your photos were bad… I only wanted you to try another angle… Forget it…”
Rinaldo pushed the door open, and the kettle in his hand crashed to the floor.
He rushed over, shoved me aside, and crouched to check on Noemi.
“Noemi, are you all right?”
“Don’t blame Valentina. I lost my balance…” Noemi whispered.
“You’re too kind. Don’t cover for her. I saw everything.”
Rinaldo carefully helped Noemi up as gently as if he were handling a wounded soldier on a battlefield.
He protected Noemi in his arms and looked at me coldly.
For the first time in our five years of marriage, he looked at me that way.
“Valentina, apologize to Noemi! I’ve spoiled you too much over the years. Now you even dare hurt a comrade. Do you know the injury on her face could affect the mission?”
Rinaldo glared at me furiously, yet he did not see the slap mark on my face at all.
I looked at him calmly.
“The one who should apologize is Noemi. She insulted my father. Rinaldo, about my father, are you not going to explain anything?”
A flash of panic crossed his eyes.
“That happened so long ago. Why are you making a scene about it now? I promised him I would protect you, but only if you don’t hurt Noemi.”
I gave a cold laugh.
Finally, I saw his true colors.
Dizziness swept over me.
My entire body fell backward.
