Chapter 5 - The Mafia Family Learns Why Sadie Was Hidden
The revelation about Sadie's inheritance spread through the Virelli family like fire.
Old associates returned.
Enemies surfaced.
Lawyers appeared.
People who had ignored her for years suddenly knew her name.
Dominic hated every second of it.
Sadie hated it more.
“I don't want the empire.”
“You don't have to take it.”
“Then why does everyone act like I have?”
“Because they fear what you could do.”
“What can I do?”
“Destroy them.”
She stared.
“That's not exactly reassuring.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“But it's honest.”
They uncovered the old agreement.
Mario had not inherited money.
He had inherited controlling authority over certain family trusts.
Those trusts held property, shares, and shipping interests.
After his death, they should have passed to his descendants.
That meant Sadie.
She was now the legal owner of assets worth billions.
But the documents had been hidden.
Matteo wanted control.
Marco wanted survival.
And several old family members wanted the past buried.
Sadie refused.
She wanted to work.
She wanted quiet.
She wanted her mother back.
She wanted her father.
She couldn't have those things.
But she could choose what to do with what remained.
Dominic helped her create a legal foundation.
The first thing she did was establish scholarships for children of dockworkers.
The second was medical support for injured workers.
The third was a fund to help families affected by organized crime.
Vincenzo watched from a distance.
One evening he told Dominic:
“She has more of her father in her than anyone.”
Dominic smiled.
“Yes.”
“Are you in love with her?”
Dominic looked at him.
“I think I am.”
Vincenzo sighed.
“You realize she's your sister.”
Dominic froze.
“What?”
“You misunderstood me.”
“I hope so.”
“Not by blood.”
Dominic stared.
Vincenzo continued.
“Mario was your uncle by marriage.”
Dominic blinked.
“Sadie is not my half-sister?”
“No.”
“Then why did you call her that?”
“Because she belongs to the family.”
Dominic laughed in disbelief.
“So you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Vincenzo smiled faintly.
“Consider it repayment for your arrogance.”
Dominic turned toward Sadie's office.
She was working late.
He walked in.
“We need to talk.”
She looked up.
“What now?”
“You're not my sister.”
She blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“My father was being dramatic.”
Sadie stared.
Then laughed.
“Your family is insane.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“So we’re not related.”
“No.”
The air changed.
Sadie's smile disappeared.
“So what are we?”
Dominic stepped closer.
“I don't know.”
“You're supposed to know everything.”
“Not this.”
He reached for her hand.
She let him.
“Sadie.”
“Yes?”
“I spent the first few days thinking you were someone I could ignore.”
“I remember.”
“I was wrong.”
“You were.”
“I spent the next few weeks thinking I needed to protect you.”
“You don't.”
“I know.”
He took a breath.
“Now I think I want to stand beside you.”
Sadie looked at him.
“That sounds dangerous.”
“It is.”
They kissed.
It was not soft.
It was not careful.
It was the kind of kiss that came after fear.
After secrets.
After weeks of wanting something neither was willing to name.
When they separated, Sadie whispered:
“This is a terrible idea.”
“Probably.”
“You’re still arrogant.”
“Yes.”
“You still annoy me.”
“I know.”
She smiled.
“I think I love you.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Because I love you too.”
For one night, happiness found them.
The next morning, Matteo took Vincenzo.
A video arrived.
Vincenzo was tied to a chair.
Matteo sat beside him.
The message was simple.
BRING SADIE.
ALONE.
Dominic wanted to go instead.
Sadie refused.
“He wants me.”
“And that's why you're not going.”
“He'll kill my grandfather.”
Dominic looked at her.
“Vincenzo isn't your grandfather.”
“He's family.”
Dominic understood.
She would go.
But she would not go alone.
They tracked the video.
An old church outside Albany.
Sadie entered first.
Matteo waited.
“You have your father's face.”
“So do you.”
He smiled.
“Brave.”
“Let him go.”
“You always were direct.”
Sadie stared.
“You knew my father.”
“I did.”
“Why did you kill him?”
“I didn't.”
She froze.
“Then who?”
Matteo looked toward the shadows.
A man stepped forward.
Sadie recognized him.
Dominic froze.
It was Malcolm Crane.
But the attorney was not alone.
Behind him stood Marco.
Alive.
And smiling.
Matteo said:
“You've been looking for the wrong enemy.”
Sadie stared.
Malcolm raised a gun.
“The person who killed Mario was inside your mother's family.”
Sadie shook her head.
“No.”
Malcolm smiled.
“Ask your grandmother what happened the night your father died.”
May you like
The truth was about to break Sadie's entire understanding of her family.
And this time, no one would be able to hide it.
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