Chapter 6 - The Man Who Chose Me Instead of the Throne
The next year was a war of paperwork.
Not bullets.
Courts.
Investigators.
Asset seizures.
Testimony.
Nico testified against the organization.
So did Luca.
Rocco was eventually captured.
He had been hiding under a false identity in Florida.
The trial lasted months.
My father testified.
My mother did too.
I testified last.
The prosecutor asked:
“Why did you refuse the inheritance?”
I answered:
“Because no amount of money was worth becoming the person who hurt my family.”
The courtroom went silent.
Rocco was convicted.
Luca received a reduced sentence.
Nico walked away from the organization completely.
He sold the clubs.
Closed the warehouses.
Turned the legitimate companies over to independent management.
He kept one business.
A construction company.
The same kind of work my father had once pretended to do.
He named it Marino Bellandi Development.
I laughed when I saw the sign.
“You used my name.”
“I used your father's.”
“Why?”
“Because he tried to do the right thing.”
My father smiled.
“I didn't always.”
“But you tried.”
That mattered.
Nico and I slowly built something different.
We weren't perfect.
We argued.
We disagreed.
But there were no secrets.
One evening, he came home early.
He had flowers.
I stared.
“What's this?”
“I don't know.”
“You bought them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I saw them.”
I laughed.
“You are terrible at romance.”
“I know.”
He came closer.
“Will you marry me?”
I froze.
“Nico.”
“I know.”
“You're asking very suddenly.”
“I've been asking in my head for a year.”
I smiled.
Then I cried.
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
May you like
This time there was no danger behind it.
Only choice.
