The Secret Chef in the Hotel Kitchen and the Truth That Shattered a Family — Part 2

Previously: Elena kept her past hidden in a high-end hotel kitchen, but when the father of her child walked in with his wealthy fiancée, a dark secret was finally exposed.

The Web of Lies Unravels

Victoria’s glamorous facade cracked for a fraction of a second, her perfect smile faltering before she quickly recovered. She let out a forced, high-pitched laugh, stepping toward Matteo and placing a manicured hand on his chest.

"Matteo, darling, don't listen to her," Victoria stammered, her voice tightening. "She’s unstable. She’s an opportunist trying to ruin our wedding. I gave her a job out of the charity of my heart because she was destitute!"

Matteo slapped her hand away, his chest heaving. "A job?" he roared, his voice echoing off the stainless steel counters. "You put her in a basement kitchen, bruised and terrified, while our daughter is somewhere out there? You told me Lily died at birth, Victoria!"

The ugly truth began to spill out. Three years ago, when Elena was pregnant, Victoria’s wealthy and influential family had intervened. Desperate to secure a marriage alliance between her family and Matteo’s real estate empire, Victoria had orchestrated a cruel scheme. With the help of a corrupt doctor, they told Matteo the baby hadn't survived. Meanwhile, they blackmailed Elena, threatening to use their immense legal power to lock her away and put the baby into a closed adoption if she ever approached Matteo.

To keep Elena completely under her thumb, Victoria had forced her to work in the hotel kitchen she owned, monitoring her every move. The bruise on Elena's face had come from Victoria’s cruel brother just hours earlier, when Elena had threatened to slip a note to Matteo during the gala dinner.

"You are a monster," Matteo whispered, the realization of Victoria's betrayal sickening him. "I loved you, and you stole my family from me."

Victoria realized the game was up. Her expression turned cold and venomous. "You think you can just walk away?" she sneered. "My family controls this city. If you leave me for this garbage chef, I will make sure you both lose everything, including custody of that little girl."