Chapter 11 - THE FALL OF DON SALVATORE
Salvatore's health continued declining.
He knew he didn't have much time.
One afternoon, he asked Gabriel to bring Tessa.
She arrived at the hospital reluctantly.
Salvatore sat near the window.
His cane rested beside the bed.
He looked at her.
“You speak like Antonino.”
Tessa nodded.
“He taught me.”
Salvatore's eyes filled.
“Was he happy?”
She considered.
“Sometimes.”
The old man swallowed.
“Did he hate me?”
Tessa hesitated.
“He was angry with someone. But he never told me everything.”
Salvatore looked down.
“I was a coward.”
Tessa said nothing.
He continued.
“I built an empire because I thought power would keep my family safe.”
His voice broke.
“But all I did was make them afraid of me.”
Tessa looked at him.
“Then tell the truth while you still can.”
Salvatore nodded.
With his attorney present, he gave a formal statement describing what he knew about Elena's murder and his agreement with Ventresca.
He accepted that the statement could expose his own crimes.
Weeks later, Salvatore died.
Gabriel buried him beside his wife.
The funeral was quiet.
No grand procession.
No display of power.
May you like
Just family.
And a son who finally understood that loving someone didn't require pretending they were innocent.
