Chapter 7 - The Night the Family War Began
The gala was held in the same restaurant where everything had started.
Il Destino.
This time, the doors were surrounded by security.
Rico stood beside Elena.
Clara stood near Leo.
The boy wore a tiny black suit.
He looked happy.
That alone made Clara smile.
"You ready?" Elena asked.
Clara nodded.
"Not really."
Elena smiled.
"Neither am I."
Rico walked over.
"Stay with me."
Clara raised an eyebrow.
"You're giving orders again."
He smiled.
"Please stay with me."
She laughed.
"Better."
The gala began.
For twenty minutes, nothing happened.
Then the lights went out.
Gunfire erupted.
Guests screamed.
Security moved.
Rico covered Elena.
Clara grabbed Leo.
A man appeared behind her.
She struck him with a serving tray.
He fell.
Leo clung to her.
"It's okay."
She whispered the same words she'd used at the first dinner.
"You are safe."
Rico reached them.
"Clara!"
"I'm fine."
They ran through the kitchen.
Anthony appeared.
He raised a gun.
Rico stepped in front of Clara.
A shot fired.
Then another.
Anthony fell.
But he wasn't alone.
Salvatore appeared behind Elena.
"I should have killed you six months ago."
Elena stared at him.
"You tried."
"I'll finish it now."
Clara stepped forward.
"No."
Salvatore turned.
"You?"
Clara lifted her father's documents.
"You're finished."
She had discovered the legal evidence.
Everything was recorded.
Every transaction.
Every secret account.
Every murder plan.
Salvatore's face changed.
Police flooded the building.
Anthony was arrested.
Salvatore was arrested.
The family war ended that night.
But Clara still had one decision left.
The inheritance.
Rico offered her everything.
She refused.
"I don't want money."
"Then what do you want?"
"A fresh start."
He smiled.
"Done."
She asked one thing.
"Help Noah finish school."
"Of course."
Elena hugged her.
"You are family."
May you like
Clara cried.
She had never heard those words spoken with sincerity.
