Chapter 8 - The Brother Who Came Home
The investigation that followed lasted six months.
Adrian Voss faced charges involving fraud, extortion, financial crimes, conspiracy, and multiple related offenses.
Richard Hale cooperated.
Several executives were removed from Dante's companies.
Dante testified.
So did Elena.
But the most difficult testimony came from Tommy.
He had spent years living under false names.
He struggled to return to ordinary life.
Elena became his anchor.
Dante became his ally.
For the first time, Elena's family and Dante's family existed in the same room without pretending.
Isabella moved into a small apartment nearby.
Frank remained in medical care but visited frequently.
The Moretti empire changed.
Dante sold two of his most controversial holdings.
He created an independent board.
He hired outside auditors.
He eliminated the security culture that had allowed men like Adrian to operate in secret.
People noticed.
Some called him weak.
Others called him changed.
Dante didn't care.
He had learned that fear could maintain an empire.
It could not maintain a marriage.
Months passed.
The penthouse became quieter.
The silver mirror remained in the sitting room.
Neither of them touched it.
One evening, Elena found Dante standing before it.
“You still think it was magic?”
“I think it was something.”
“That's very scientific of you.”
He smiled.
“I learned from my mistakes.”
She stood beside him.
“Do you ever miss being me?”
He laughed.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Your feet hurt in heels.”
She hit his arm.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don't.”
She smiled.
“No.”
He turned toward her.
“I miss who I was when I met you.”
She looked at him.
“You can become him again.”
“Maybe I don't need to become that man.”
“Why?”
“Because he didn't know enough.”
She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I don't want the old Dante back.”
“Good.”
“I want the man who learned.”
He kissed the top of her head.
Then he reached into his pocket.
She frowned.
“What's that?”
A small velvet box.
Elena stared.
“Dante.”
“Before you say anything, I'm not asking you to marry me.”
She relaxed.
“Good.”
He opened the box.
Inside was her mother's necklace.
The one she thought had been lost years ago.
Elena covered her mouth.
“Where did you find that?”
“Tommy found it.”
She picked it up.
Tears filled her eyes.
Dante watched her.
“I thought it was gone.”
“So did I.”
She hugged him.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Later that night, they sat on the balcony.
Boston glittered below.
Dante's phone rang.
He answered.
It was Marco.
“Everything is settled.”
Dante leaned back.
“Good.”
Marco hesitated.
“There is one more thing.”
“What?”
“The mirror.”
Dante stiffened.
“What about it?”
“Emilia left another note.”
Dante frowned.
“Where?”
“At the church.”
He ended the call.
Elena looked at him.
“Another note?”
“Apparently.”
They returned to the church the next morning.
The priest handed them a final letter.
It contained only a few lines.
A marriage is not saved when two people become one.
It is saved when two people remain themselves and still choose each other.
Dante smiled.
Elena read it twice.
“That woman was terrifying.”
“She was.”
They left the church hand in hand.
Outside, snow had begun to fall.
Elena looked at him.
“Do you know what the strangest part is?”
“What?”
“For seven years I begged you to listen.”
“And now?”
“Now you won't stop.”
May you like
He smiled.
“I have a lot of catching up to do.”
