Chapter 7 - The Woman Behind the Empire
Six months later, the Rossi Group was almost entirely legitimate.
Dominic sold several questionable subsidiaries.
He closed the old underground accounts.
He turned the logistics company into a publicly audited corporation.
The changes cost him a fortune.
They also cost him friends.
But they bought him something more valuable.
Freedom.
Lena launched Vale Strategic Advisory.
Her first client was the Rossi Group.
Her second was a hospital foundation.
Her third was a small company that needed help restructuring after fraud.
She was finally building something that belonged to her.
Michael recovered enough to walk again.
He spent mornings drinking coffee on Lena's balcony and afternoons telling Dominic embarrassing stories about his youth.
Dominic pretended to hate them.
He secretly loved them.
One evening, Lena came home to find candles lining her apartment.
She stopped.
Dominic stood beside the window.
He wore a dark suit.
No tie.
"What's happening?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
She smiled.
"That sounds dangerous."
He walked toward her.
"I spent most of my life believing love was a liability."
He took her hand.
"I was wrong."
He knelt.
Lena covered her mouth.
"Lena Vale, you came into my life as the person who fixed my schedule."
He smiled.
"Then you fixed my company."
A pause.
"Then you fixed me."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I don't need a perfect life."
Dominic opened the box.
"I need a real one."
The ring was simple.
Elegant.
Nothing like the exaggerated jewelry worn by the people at the gala.
Lena laughed through tears.
"Yes."
He stood.
She kissed him.
Then the doorbell rang.
Michael entered without waiting.
"I heard shouting."
Lena laughed.
"Dad!"
Dominic sighed.
Michael stared at the ring.
"You finally did it."
Dominic looked at him.
"You knew?"
"Of course."
Michael patted his shoulder.
"I've known for years."
The three of them laughed.
For the first time, Lena understood what happiness felt like when it wasn't borrowed.
It was quiet.
It was imperfect.
And it was hers.
But there was still one problem.
Cecilia was missing.
No one knew where she had gone.
Until a letter arrived.
It was addressed to Lena.
Inside was a photograph.
Cecilia was standing in front of a small house in Maine.
Behind her was a young girl.
The letter contained only one sentence.
Some people spend their lives surviving. I hope you spend yours living.
Lena folded the letter.
Dominic looked at her.
"Do you want to find her?"
"Someday."
May you like
He nodded.
"Then someday."
