Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE MORETTI EMPIRE FELL
The first police vehicles entered through the front gates.
Then federal agents approached the rear entrance.
Luca stared toward the windows.
For one moment, he looked genuinely shocked.
Then his expression twisted.
"You."
He turned toward Adrian.
"You called them."
Adrian held Grace close.
"Yes."
Luca stepped forward.
"You betrayed your own brother."
Adrian looked at him.
"You stole my wife."
His voice was steady.
"You stole my daughter."
He glanced toward Evelyn.
"You imprisoned people. Forged deaths. Destroyed families."
Luca's face hardened.
"You think you're better than me?"
Adrian swallowed.
"No."
The answer surprised everyone.
He continued.
"I've done things I'm ashamed of."
Silence.
"But I won't let that become an excuse to keep doing them."
Luca stared.
Then laughed bitterly.
"How noble."
He reached toward his jacket.
One attorney shouted.
"Don't!"
Adrian moved Grace behind him.
Evelyn grabbed her daughter.
Luca stopped.
Outside, officers shouted instructions.
"Police! Open the door!"
Luca looked toward the window.
Then back at Adrian.
For a moment, the brothers stood facing each other.
Two boys who had grown up in the same house.
Two sons who had been taught that power mattered more than kindness.
One had spent years trying to escape their father's shadow.
The other had become something worse.
Luca's voice broke.
"Father always loved you more."
Adrian stared.
"That isn't true."
"It is."
Luca's eyes filled.
"He chose you."
Adrian took a breath.
"He made mistakes."
Luca laughed.
"He destroyed us."
Adrian looked at him.
"Then why did you spend your life becoming him?"
The words struck.
Luca froze.
For a moment, his face changed.
The arrogance vanished.
Only pain remained.
Then the door burst open.
Federal agents entered.
Luca was ordered to raise his hands.
He hesitated.
Then slowly complied.
Officers secured him.
The attorneys were detained for questioning.
Evelyn held Grace against her chest.
Adrian watched his brother being led away.
Luca stopped beside him.
"You'll regret this."
Adrian looked at him.
"No."
He glanced toward his daughter.
"I regret not seeing who you were sooner."
Luca said nothing.
Then he was gone.
Outside, the mansion was surrounded by emergency vehicles.
Investigators began securing documents and interviewing staff.
Adrian carried Grace through the front doors.
Evelyn walked beside him.
For the first time in three years, she stepped outside without asking permission.
The morning air was cold.
The sky was pale.
Grace looked up.
"Mommy, where are we going?"
Evelyn began crying.
Adrian knelt beside them.
"Home."
Grace frowned.
"Where's home?"
Adrian looked at Evelyn.
Then smiled.
"Somewhere safe."
Grace considered this.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
May you like
She reached for his hand.
And together, they walked away from the mansion that had held their lives captive.
