Chapter 14 - On the Anniversary of the Night Emma Returned the Money, Alessandro Finally Admitted That My Daughter Was the Reason He Chose to Abandon the Life That Had Once Controlled HimWe returned to Rosa's Diner.
Emma was eighteen.
The booth remained.
The same corner.
The same window.
The same table.
Alessandro sat down.
He looked around.
“Everything changed here.”
Emma smiled.
“Because I found your money.”
He laughed.
“You did.”
I looked at him.
“What would have happened if she hadn't?”
He thought.
“I probably would have kept trusting Matteo.”
“And?”
“I might be dead.”
Emma frowned.
“I don't like that answer.”
“Neither do I.”
He smiled.
She held up the old photograph.
The envelope.
The rain.
Her yellow jacket.
A six-year-old girl chasing a black car.
She had no idea what she was starting.
Alessandro touched the frame.
“You saved my life.”
Emma smiled.
“I just returned your money.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“You gave me a reason to change.”
I looked away.
My eyes were wet.
He took my hand.
“And your mother gave me a reason to stay.”
I smiled.
Maybe he had once been feared.
May you like
But now he was loved.
That was better.
