Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO CHOSE A DIFFERENT EMPIRE
Z
Lorenzo began changing his life.
Not overnight.
Not easily.
But deliberately.
He ordered independent audits of his legitimate companies.
He began cooperating with legal advisers to address unlawful business relationships.
He separated family assets from questionable operations.
And he stopped protecting people simply because they'd once been loyal to the Moretti name.
Some associates were furious.
Others threatened to leave.
A few did.
Lorenzo let them.
One evening, he visited my apartment.
He looked exhausted.
I opened the door.
“Long day?”
He smiled faintly.
“Very.”
I stepped aside.
“Tea?”
He nodded.
“Please.”
We sat in the kitchen.
I watched him stir his tea.
“You look worried.”
He laughed softly.
“Am I that obvious?”
“To me.”
He looked up.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he said:
“I'm trying to become someone my father can be proud of.”
I smiled.
“He already is.”
Lorenzo looked down.
“He shouldn't be.”
I reached across the table.
“People can change.”
He looked at my hand.
Then at me.
“Do you believe that?”
I nodded.
“I have to.”
He took my hand gently.
“Emma.”
My heart pounded.
“Yes?”
“I think about you.”
I froze.
He continued.
“More than I should.”
I looked down.
“Lorenzo—”
“I know you're pregnant. I know you've been hurt. I know you don't need another complicated man.”
I laughed nervously.
“That last part is definitely true.”
He smiled.
He released my hand.
“I won't ask you for anything.”
I looked up.
He continued.
“I just want you to know that I care about you.”
Tears filled my eyes.
May you like
For the first time, I realized Lorenzo Moretti wasn't trying to rescue me.
He was trying to become someone worthy of standing beside me.
