Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO TRIED TO BUY SILENCE
Vanessa appeared at my mother's house on a Sunday afternoon.
I wasn't there.
My mother called me afterward.
Her voice shook.
“Emily.”
I sat up.
“Mom?”
“A woman came by.”
My stomach tightened.
“What woman?”
“Vanessa Bellini.”
I went cold.
My mother explained that Vanessa had arrived with a lawyer.
She claimed I had interfered in Sofia's medical care and damaged her reputation.
Then she offered money.
Enough to cover my mother's mortgage.
Enough to pay her remaining hospital bills.
All I had to do was sign a statement saying I'd exaggerated Vanessa's behavior.
I stared at the phone.
“Mom, please tell me you didn't sign anything.”
“No.”
I exhaled.
My mother continued.
“I told her my daughter doesn't lie for money.”
Tears filled my eyes.
I called Luca immediately.
He listened without interrupting.
Then said:
“I'm sorry she went to your mother.”
I swallowed.
“She knows about our finances.”
Luca's expression hardened.
“She had no right to use that against you.”
His attorneys contacted Vanessa's representatives.
My mother preserved the documents she'd been given.
The attempted pressure was reported to the relevant investigators.
That evening, Luca found me in the garden.
I was sitting beneath the old oak tree.
He approached.
“Emily.”
I looked up.
“Hi.”
He sat beside me.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he said:
“I know you don't want my money.”
I nodded.
He continued.
“But I want you to know that needing help doesn't make you weak.”
I looked down.
“My mother taught me to handle things myself.”
He smiled faintly.
“She sounds strong.”
I laughed softly.
“She is.”
He looked at me.
“So are you.”
My eyes filled.
For the first time, I leaned against his shoulder.
He didn't move.
Didn't rush.
May you like
Didn't ask for anything.
He simply stayed.
