Chapter 13 - THE LETTER FROM LUCA
One year after his return, Luca gave Dante a letter.
It was handwritten.
Folded carefully.
Dante opened it.
Inside, Luca described the years he'd spent hidden away.
The fear.
The isolation.
The loneliness.
But he also wrote about the small acts of kindness that had helped him survive.
A nurse who brought him books.
A gardener who taught him to grow tomatoes.
A therapist who listened without judgment.
At the end, Luca wrote:
You don't have to spend the rest of your life punishing yourself for what our father did.
Dante stared at the words.
Then read the final sentence.
You only have to become the man you wish he'd been.
Dante folded the letter.
For a long time, he sat alone.
Then he went to Gemma.
She was reading on the sofa.
He sat beside her.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Dante nodded.
“I think I'm starting to be.”
Gemma smiled.
May you like
He leaned against her.
And for once, he allowed himself to rest.
