Chapter 8 - THE MOTHER WHO CHOSE THE WRONG SIDE
Elena Romano returned to the estate three days later.
She had not apologized.
Instead, she demanded to see Gabriel.
I was sitting in the conservatory when she entered.
Her expression was strained.
“Where is my son?”
“In his study.”
She looked at me.
“You've turned him against his family.”
I stood.
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“Vittorio has done more for this family than you ever will.”
I swallowed.
“Then why is he threatening my father?”
Elena froze.
I continued.
“Why did someone steal the silver?”
She looked away.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
For a moment, she seemed ready to speak.
Then Gabriel entered.
“Mom.”
She turned.
“Gabriel.”
He looked at her.
“Did you know?”
Her face changed.
“Know what?”
“About Vittorio's involvement in the old property transfer.”
Silence.
Gabriel stared.
“Mom.”
Elena sat slowly.
Then whispered:
“I knew there had been a dispute.”
He closed his eyes.
“How much?”
She looked down.
“Your father told me Vittorio had made a mistake.”
Gabriel's expression hardened.
“A mistake?”
She nodded.
“He said it was handled.”
I felt sick.
My grandfather had spent years fighting for justice.
My father had inherited the consequences.
And Elena had known something was wrong.
Gabriel looked at his mother.
“You let Catherine sit at the staff table while you protected the man who hurt her family.”
Elena began crying.
“I was trying to protect you.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at me.
“You were protecting the story you wanted people to believe.”
May you like
Elena covered her face.
For the first time, she had no answer.
