Chapter 10 - THE CONFESSION THAT DESTROYED A DYNASTY
Marcus Vale had spent twelve years convincing Dante Moretti that loyalty was the most important quality a man could possess.
Now he sat in federal custody, requesting a meeting with the very man he had betrayed.
Rachel Donovan advised Dante against going.
“He's trying to manipulate you.”
“Probably.”
“You don't owe him anything.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Dante looked toward Luca's photograph.
“Because I want to hear what he says about my brother.”
The meeting took place under the supervision of investigators and attorneys.
Marcus sat behind a metal table.
His expensive suit was gone.
So was his silver watch.
When Dante entered, Marcus smiled.
“Hello, old friend.”
Dante sat.
“We were never friends.”
Marcus laughed.
“That's a little dramatic.”
Dante said nothing.
Marcus leaned forward.
“You want to know what happened to Luca.”
“Yes.”
“Your brother was clever.”
Dante's hands tightened.
“Tell me.”
Marcus looked toward the recording equipment.
Then began.
Nine years earlier, Luca discovered that money from the Moretti Children's Foundation was being diverted through shipping accounts.
Marcus had been using those funds to finance illegal operations.
Vittorio Moretti learned of the theft.
But rather than expose Marcus, he tried to conceal the scandal.
He feared the investigation would destroy the family.
Luca refused to stay silent.
Daniel Cross helped him collect evidence.
On the night of the explosion, Luca and Daniel were supposed to deliver documents to an attorney.
Marcus arranged for their vehicle to be sabotaged.
But Daniel discovered something wrong with the car before Luca entered it.
He tried to stop Luca.
They argued.
Luca insisted they couldn't abandon the evidence.
Then the explosion occurred.
Daniel survived because he had stepped away from the vehicle.
Luca did not.
Dante listened without moving.
Finally, he asked, “Did my father know?”
Marcus looked down.
“He knew I wanted Luca stopped.”
“Did he know you intended to kill him?”
Marcus hesitated.
“No.”
Dante stared.
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because your father spent the rest of his life trying to destroy me.”
Dante frowned.
Marcus continued.
“He discovered what I'd done. But by then, I had evidence of his own crimes.”
Dante closed his eyes.
His father had been trapped.
Not innocent.
Not helpless.
But trapped by the consequences of his choices.
“Why didn't he tell me?” Dante whispered.
Marcus smiled bitterly.
“Because he knew what you'd do.”
Dante looked up.
“What?”
“You'd choose Luca over the empire.”
Silence filled the room.
Marcus continued.
“And he couldn't bear to lose both sons.”
Dante stared at him.
For nine years, he had believed his father blamed him for Luca's death.
Now he understood that Vittorio had been hiding his own guilt.
Dante stood.
Marcus looked up.
“That's it?”
Dante nodded.
“That's it.”
“You're not going to threaten me?”
“No.”
Marcus laughed.
“That's not the Dante I know.”
Dante looked at him.
“Maybe you never knew me.”
Then he walked out.
That evening, Dante returned to the estate.
Anna waited in the library.
Sophie was asleep upstairs.
Dante sat beside the fireplace.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Anna approached.
“Did he tell you?”
Dante nodded.
She sat beside him.
“Do you want to talk?”
He stared into the fire.
“Marcus killed Luca.”
Anna closed her eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
“My father knew Marcus was dangerous.”
She reached for his hand.
“He was afraid.”
Dante looked at her.
“He let fear decide what mattered.”
Anna nodded.
“Yes.”
Dante swallowed.
“I've spent my whole life trying to become him.”
She looked at him.
“Do you still want to?”
He stared at the flames.
Then shook his head.
“No.”
Anna squeezed his hand.
“Good.”
He looked toward her.
“I don't know what comes next.”
She smiled faintly.
“Neither do I.”
Dante laughed softly.
“That's reassuring.”
Anna leaned against his shoulder.
“Sometimes not knowing is okay.”
He wrapped an arm around her.
For the first time in years, Dante allowed himself to imagine a future that wasn't built around revenge.
A future with ordinary mornings.
Coffee.
Music.
A little girl leaving stickers on his clothes.
And a woman who made him feel like he could become someone better.
He looked down at Anna.
“Would you stay?”
She raised her head.
“Here?”
“With me.”
Her breath caught.
Dante continued.
“Not as an employee. Not because you need somewhere to live.”
He paused.
“Because you want to.”
Anna studied his face.
Then smiled.
“I think I'd like that.”
Dante leaned forward.
She met him halfway.
Their kiss was gentle.
When they separated, Anna whispered, “But we need to take things slowly.”
Dante nodded.
“As slowly as you want.”
Then a small voice came from the doorway.
“Are you kissing?”
They turned.
Sophie stood in her duck pajamas.
Her stuffed rabbit hung from one hand.
Anna blushed.
“Sophie!”
The little girl smiled.
“Mr. D likes Mama.”
Dante laughed.
“Yes, princess.”
Sophie considered this.
Then walked toward them.
“Good.”
She climbed onto the sofa between them.
“Now we can all have tea.”
Dante looked at Anna.
May you like
Anna laughed.
And for the first time, the library felt like a home.
