Chapter 13 - THE LAST SECRET OF THE MORETTI FAMILY
Six months after the reunion, Adrian made a decision that shocked Chicago.
He announced that he would separate his legitimate businesses from the criminal networks that had surrounded his family for generations.
It wasn't simple.
There were legal investigations.
Financial reviews.
Dangerous former associates.
And difficult decisions about the future of his companies.
But Adrian had changed.
He no longer wanted his sons to inherit fear.
He wanted them to inherit choices.
One evening, he sat beside me on a park bench.
The boys were playing nearby.
“I used to think power meant nobody could hurt me,” he said.
I looked at him.
“And now?”
He watched Noah help Leo climb a tree.
“Now I think power means having the courage to stop hurting people.”
I studied him.
“You're different.”
He smiled sadly.
“I had a reason to change.”
I looked toward the boys.
“They're wonderful reasons.”
Adrian turned toward me.
“So are you.”
My heart tightened.
I looked away.
“Adrian.”
“I know.”
He nodded.
“I'm not asking for anything.”
May you like
Then he whispered:
“I just wanted you to know.”
