Chapter 11 - THE BRIDE WHO PLANNED A FUNERAL
Victoria was arrested two days later.
The evidence against her included messages, financial transfers, and testimony from Daniel Cross.
Investigators alleged that she had coordinated the attempt to contaminate Ethan's birthday cake.
Her motive was tied to a plan involving Salvatore Moretti and the Bellamy family.
If Ethan died, Dominic would be devastated.
Salvatore expected to use the crisis to regain influence over the Moretti businesses.
Victoria planned to marry Dominic and secure access to his fortune.
But Lily ruined everything.
A three-year-old child had seen what trained security professionals missed.
Dominic sat in the library when he learned the details.
He didn't shout.
Didn't throw anything.
He simply stared at the evidence.
Then whispered, “I brought her into my son's life.”
Vincent stood beside him.
“You didn't know.”
Dominic shook his head.
“I should have.”
Vincent said nothing.
Dominic looked toward the family photographs.
“I wanted peace so badly that I ignored what Ethan was trying to tell me.”
That evening, I found Dominic sitting alone in the garden.
The sun was setting.
The fountain reflected gold light.
I approached quietly.
“May I sit?”
He nodded.
I sat beside him.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then he said, “I failed him.”
I looked at him.
“You made mistakes.”
He closed his eyes.
“That's a polite way to say it.”
I shook my head.
“No. It's the truth.”
He looked at me.
I continued.
“You trusted someone who betrayed you. That doesn't make you responsible for her choices.”
He stared at the fountain.
“But I should have listened to Ethan.”
“Yes,” I said softly. “You should have.”
He looked at me.
I continued.
“And now you can.”
For a long moment, Dominic said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“I'm going to.”
The next morning, Dominic canceled his meetings.
He took Ethan to the zoo.
No photographers.
No business associates.
Just a father and his son.
When they returned, Ethan was laughing.
He ran toward Lily.
“Guess what!”
She looked up.
“What?”
“I saw a lion!”
Lily gasped.
“Big kitty!”
Ethan laughed.
“Very big.”
Dominic stood in the doorway watching them.
Then looked toward me.
His expression softened.
“Thank you.”
I smiled.
“For what?”
“For reminding me what matters.”
I looked toward the children.
“You already knew.”
May you like
He nodded.
“I just forgot.”
