Marcus gave a microscopic nod. He had seen my hand move.

“Before anyone signs anything,” I said, stepping further into the room.

Luca turned back to me, his brow furrowing in irritation.

“Since when do the servants speak?” Luca asked.

“I have something that belongs to you, Luca,” I said.

I pulled the folded paper from my pocket.

I did not give it to Luca.

I walked past him and laid it on the desk directly in front of Marcus.

Luca lunged forward to grab it, but his sleeve caught on the edge of the desk lamp.

Marcus reached out and snatched the paper before Luca could recover his balance.

Marcus unfolded it with one hand, his eyes scanning the handwritten lines quickly.

His face did not change, but his jaw tightened.

“What is that?” Luca demanded.

“It is a statement,” Marcus said, his voice turning ice-cold.

“Signed by Mrs. Conti.”

Luca froze.

The color drained slightly from his cheeks, though he tried to hide it with a sneer.

“The old woman is gone,” Luca said. “She ran away.”

“She wrote this before she left,” I said.