Chapter 7 - THE BROTHER WHO WAS RAISED AS AN ENEMYThe words echoed.
He is alive.
For twelve years...
I believed I was alone.
The only survivor.
The only heir.
The only son.
But I wasn't.
Someone had lived my brother's life.
Someone had carried my family's name.
Someone had been stolen from me.
"Where is he?"
Matteo didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Where is my brother?"
His eyes met mine.
"Closer than you think."
The room went silent.
"What does that mean?"
Matteo reached into his coat.
He pulled out an old phone.
One video.
One file.
One name.
ALEX VALE.
My blood ran cold.
"No."
Matteo nodded.
"Yes."
The screen played.
A young man appeared.
Twenty-eight years old.
Standing inside a company building.
Talking to Adrian Vale.
My enemy.
My rival.
The man who had spent years attacking my empire.
The young man turned.
And I saw his face.
My face.
Different.
But the same.
The same eyes.
The same expression.
The same scar.
Sophia whispered:
"He looks like you."
Nobody answered.
Because everyone knew.
He wasn't just similar.
He was my twin.
Matteo spoke quietly.
"Adrian raised him."
My hands clenched.
"He thinks he is Adrian's son."
"Yes."
"And he hates me?"
Matteo hesitated.
"More than anyone."
The video continued.
Alex stood beside Adrian.
Adrian placed a hand on his shoulder.
And said:
"One day..."
"You will take back everything that belongs to you."
Alex smiled.
"I will."
The video ended.
A terrible silence followed.
My brother wasn't missing.
He wasn't dead.
He was preparing to destroy me.
That night...
I couldn't sleep.
Not because I was afraid.
Because my entire life had become a lie.
My father was alive.
My brother was alive.
My enemy was connected to my blood.
And the man I trusted most...
Was the only person who knew everything.
I stood by the window.
Looking at the city.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
No one spoke.
Only breathing.
Then a voice.
A voice I had never heard.
But somehow...
Felt familiar.
"Brother."
I froze.
"Alex?"
A pause.
Then a cold laugh.
"So you finally found out."
My grip tightened.
"Where are you?"
"Why?"
His voice was calm.
"You want to meet me?"
"Or do you want to kill me?"
I said nothing.
Because I didn't know the answer.
Alex continued.
"I spent twelve years believing you stole my life."
"I spent twelve years believing you were the reason I had nothing."
My heart sank.
"Alex..."
"No."
His voice became colder.
"You don't get to call me that."
A pause.
"Because Alex Vale is dead."
The line went silent.
Then he whispered:
"My name is Matteo Rossi."
I froze.
The same name.
The same name as the man who betrayed me.
The same name as the brother I lost.
Then he said the words that changed everything:
"And tomorrow..."
"I am coming home."
The call ended.
Outside the window...
A car stopped in front of the mansion.
The door opened.
A man stepped out.
Looking exactly like me.
And behind him...
Standing in the shadows...
Was Adrian Vale.
Watching.
Smiling.
May you like
Because the war for the Rossi empire...
Had finally begun.
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