~The lost one~

Chapter 16

As I watched Simi slowly calm down from her panic attack, my heart ached for her. Her tear-streaked face and uneven breathing were a stark reminder of the emotional toll the day's revelations had taken on her. I couldn't shake the guilt that perhaps I had been too abrupt in delivering the shocking details about her parents' deaths. She needed time, not just information.

Penelope burst into the room, her urgency evident in every step. She carried a red-colored file with a look of haste. "Steffan, I need to give you this," she said, her voice edged with urgency.

Before I could ask her about it, her phone rang, and with a hurried apology, she said, "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'll explain everything later. Keep me updated on Simi."

With that, Penelope was gone, leaving me alone with the mysterious file. My fingers trembled as I opened it, revealing a dossier marked *Confidential: Gabrini Family Investigation*. The sight of the file's label sent a shiver down my spine. The Gabrini family was notorious, their name synonymous with the Italian mafia—a web of criminal influence that extended far beyond anything I had ever encountered.

Inside the file were detailed reports on the Gabrini family members. Photographs of Luca Gabrini, the feared eldest brother, and his siblings—Antonio, Giovann, Rancho, Enzo, and Fabio—dominated the pages. Each brother had a distinct and menacing role within the organization, their criminal activities meticulously documented.

But it was a particular note from an informant that caught my eye. It mentioned Nyx's recent volatile behavior and hinted at internal conflicts within the Gabrini family. Though there was no concrete evidence linking them to Nyx's death, the note suggested that Nyx might have been involved in something dangerous just before the accident.

The weight of the file was overwhelming. My mind raced with the implications. The little girl sitting in the corner—Simi—was, in fact, the lost sister of these powerful and feared figures. I had to contact the Italians and inform them of this shocking development.

My hands shook as I picked up the phone. The Gabrini family was the stuff of legends, their influence and power extending into every corner of the criminal world. I had always been fascinated by their stories, never imagining I would be dealing with them directly, let alone revealing to them that their lost sister had been found.

As I dialed the number for the Gabrini family's contact, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The thought of speaking to someone from such a formidable family was nerve-wracking. This was not just about the case anymore; it was about delivering news that would irrevocably change Simi's life.

Simi, still eating her sandwich quietly, seemed worlds away from the criminal empire her family was part of. I glanced at her, the realization hitting me hard. This little girl, whose world had been turned upside down, was now linked to one of the most powerful families in the world.

As I prepared to make the call, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. I was about to deliver news that could lead to a whirlwind of new developments, both for Simi and for the Gabrini family. The stakes were higher than ever, and I had to navigate this with care.

The phone rang, and as I waited for the call to connect, I braced myself for what was to come.
The truth was out there, and was about to set in motion a chain of events that would uncover the full story behind Simi's parents' deaths and the shadowy world of the Gabrini family.