"Not then." Bruno's hands shake. "He found out later. After Riccardo was already dead."
I try to process this. Try to fit the pieces together.
Lorenzo was engaged to a woman named Luna. Luna was a spy. Luna was also sleeping with Riccardo. Riccardo died. Lorenzo found out about the affair after.
"How did Lorenzo find out?" I ask.
Bruno's expression shutters. "That's a longer story. One we can discuss later." He pauses. "What matters now is what I'm about to tell you."
I nod slowly. Wait.
"Sophia and Luna are cousins."
My eyebrows shoot up. "Lorenzo's wife is related to the woman who betrayed him?"
"Yes." Bruno shifts in his seat. "Sophia needed help. She came to Lorenzo. The circumstances were... complicated. But that's how they met. How they fell in love."
"And Luna?"
"The Luna situation happened many years ago." Bruno's voice drops. "Before my injury. Before everything changed."
I sense there's more. Something he's building toward.
"Bruno." I reach for his hand. "Why are we here? At this orphanage?"
He doesn't pull away from my touch. But he doesn't hold my hand either.
"Because I'm telling you this for a reason." His dark eyes meet mine. "Luna gave birth to a child. Back then. Before she disappeared."
The air leaves my lungs.
A child.
"Whose child?" I whisper, even though I already know the answer.
"Riccardo's."
Oh God.
"Luna had Riccardo's baby?" My voice cracks. "Does Lorenzo know? Does anyone know?"
"No one knew she had a child." Bruno's jaw tightens. "No one knew she was alive. Everyone thought she was dead."
"But you knew."
"I knew."
The weight of that admission hangs between us.
Bruno knew. For years. He knew Luna was alive. He knew she had Riccardo's child. And he told no one.
"I've been sending money to her every month," Bruno continues. "Supporting her. The child. I forced Luna to stay away from Chicago. To never contact Lorenzo or anyone else in the family."
"Why?" The question comes out sharper than I intend. "Why would you keep this secret? Riccardo had a son. Your brother had ason."
Bruno flinches.
Actually flinches.