Chapter 11 - THE LAST RECORDING
Victor refused the neutral meeting.
Instead, he sent a recording.
It arrived on an encrypted drive delivered to Roman's attorney.
The video showed Alessandro Bellini.
Roman's father.
Older than Roman remembered him.
Tired.
Sitting in the private thirteenth-floor office.
“If Roman ever sees this,” Alessandro began, “then Victor has gone too far.”
Roman stopped breathing.
His father's voice filled the room.
Alessandro explained that Victor had been diverting employee funds for years.
He admitted that the Bellini organization had used hotel accounts to conceal illegal revenue.
He also admitted something worse.
He had known.
He had allowed it.
Because Victor controlled dangerous associates.
Because the family depended on the money.
Because Alessandro feared losing power.
“I told myself I would fix it later,” he said.
Roman stared at the screen.
His father continued.
“Later became years.”
He looked directly into the camera.
“Roman, if you inherit this hotel, don't protect my reputation at the expense of the people who worked for me.”
His voice broke.
“I was not the man they deserved.”
The recording ended.
Roman remained motionless.
For years, he had believed his father was untouchable.
A legend.
A king.
Now he saw a frightened man who had recognized his failures too late.
Emily sat beside him.
She had been invited to hear the recording because it concerned the employee investigation.
She said nothing.
Roman looked at her.
“He knew.”
“Yes.”
“He could have stopped it.”
“Yes.”
Roman closed his eyes.
Emily waited.
Then he whispered:
“I spent my life trying to become him.”
Emily looked at the dark screen.
“Maybe you can spend the rest of it becoming someone better.”
Roman turned toward her.
For a moment, his composure disappeared.
He looked exhausted.
Human.
Emily reached for his hand.
Then hesitated.
Roman noticed.
He did not move.
She placed her hand over his.
He held it gently.
Neither spoke.
Outside, the city continued moving.
May you like
Inside, Roman Bellini finally allowed himself to grieve a father who had never been as good as the son needed him to be.
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