Chapter 10 - THE FATHER WHO CHOSE SILENCE
Dante confronted Vittorio again.
This time, he brought Lucia's letter.
His father sat in the same library.
The same chair.
The same portrait above the fireplace.
But Dante no longer saw the powerful man who had raised him.
He saw an old man surrounded by secrets.
“You knew about Leonard,” Dante said.
Vittorio looked at the letter.
His face changed.
“Lucia.”
Dante nodded.
“She tried to protect Gabriel.”
His father closed his eyes.
“Did you know Isabella was threatened?”
Vittorio whispered, “Yes.”
Dante felt his chest tighten.
“And you did nothing?”
His father looked up.
“I was afraid.”
Dante stared.
“Of Leonard?”
“Of what exposing him would do to the family.”
Dante laughed bitterly.
“Enzo is dead. Gabriel nearly burned alive. Sofia could have been killed.”
He stepped closer.
“What exactly did your silence protect?”
Vittorio lowered his head.
For the first time, he had no answer.
Then he whispered, “I never ordered Enzo's death.”
Dante looked at him.
“Did you know Leonard was going after him?”
Vittorio hesitated.
That was enough.
Dante turned away.
“I'm giving the evidence to the authorities.”
His father looked up sharply.
“You'll destroy everything.”
Dante stopped at the door.
“No.”
May you like
He looked back.
“You already did.”
