Chapter 5 - The Wife, the Missing Ledger, and the LieJulius returned to the estate alone.
Dileia stayed with Emma.
For the first time since the affair, he confronted Sabrina.
She sat calmly in the living room.
“You know.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Years.”
“What did you know?”
“Everything.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you never asked.”
Julius laughed bitterly.
“That's convenient.”
Sabrina stood.
“I married you because I loved you.”
He stared.
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why Roco?”
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid.”
“Of him?”
“Of your family.”
Julius listened.
Sabrina explained.
Bruno Castellano had created a hidden ledger exposing corruption inside the family.
The ledger was dangerous.
Roco wanted it.
Anthony wanted control.
Samuel tried to protect it.
Sabrina was forced to cooperate.
She had been threatened.
She had made mistakes.
But she was not the mastermind.
“Then who?”
Sabrina looked at him.
“Your father.”
Julius went still.
“My father?”
“He ordered Samuel's disappearance.”
“Why?”
“To protect the family.”
“And my mother?”
“She found out.”
“What happened?”
“She left.”
Julius closed his eyes.
His entire childhood had been built on lies.
Then Sabrina whispered:
“Your father was never the real leader.”
“Who was?”
She looked toward the doorway.
“Your grandfather.”
Dead.
Or supposed to be.
Julius finally understood.
His grandfather had created the criminal network.
Bruno had tried to leave it.
That was why he had been killed.
Roco and Anthony were only finishing what had begun years earlier.
The ledger contained enough evidence to destroy them all.
But where was it?
Dileia knew.
She returned to the estate with Samuel's final clue.
A watch.
Her father's watch.
Inside was a tiny compartment.
She opened it.
A note.
THE LEDGER IS WHERE YOUR FIRST HOME WAS.
Dileia frowned.
“What was your first home?” Julius asked.
“An old repair shop.”
He knew it.
The family had purchased it decades earlier.
They returned.
Beneath the floor was a metal box.
Inside:
The ledger.
Photographs.
Audio recordings.
Proof.
Everything.
Roco entered behind them.
“Thank you.”
Julius turned.
Roco pointed a weapon.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Roco's face hardened.
“You trust a housekeeper over me?”
Julius smiled coldly.
“I trust the person who saved my life.”
Roco fired.
The bullet struck the wall.
Julius moved.
Dileia grabbed the ledger and ran.
Roco chased her.
She escaped through the rear door.
He followed.
But police arrived.
Someone had called them.
Dileia turned.
Sabrina stood beside a detective.
“I called.”
Roco froze.
The ledger was secured.
Roco was arrested.
Anthony tried to flee.
Julius stopped him.
“You should have run years ago.”
Anthony looked at him.
“You're becoming your father.”
Julius shook his head.
“No.”
He stepped away.
“I'm becoming the man he should have been.”
The investigation exploded.
The Castellano empire was exposed.
But Julius chose not to run.
He testified.
He turned over evidence.
He dismantled the illegal operations.
He kept only the legitimate businesses.
Dileia watched him.
She saw a man choosing truth over power.
She loved him for it.
That frightened her.
Because love had already cost her too much.
Then the hospital called.
Emma's transplant match had been found.
But the procedure would cost more than Dileia could afford.
She didn't know what to do.
Julius entered the room.
“I'll pay.”
“No.”
“Dileia.”
“No.”
He took her hand.
“This isn't a debt.”
“What is it?”
He looked at her.
“Family.”
She cried.
Then nodded.
Emma received the surgery.
It was successful.
For the first time in years, Dileia allowed herself to believe there might be a future.
But Julius had one more surprise.
He had bought the abandoned repair shop.
He rebuilt it.
And placed a sign above the door.
MARSH & CASTELLANO WATCHWORKS.
Dileia stared.
“What's this?”
“Your father's legacy.”
She cried.
May you like
“You did this?”
“We did.”
Related Stories
