Chapter 11 - The Deal That Would Have Taken Her Home|
The drive back to the mansion was almost completely silent.
Teresa sat beside Luca in the rear of the car.
I sat across from them, staring at the city passing beyond the tinted windows.
Every few minutes, Teresa looked down at her hands.
I wondered what she was thinking.
About Isabella.
About the money.
About the medical facility she'd never agreed to enter.
Or about how close she'd come to losing control of her own life.
Finally, she spoke.
“Luca?”
He turned immediately.
“Yes, Ma?”
“Did your father ever tell you why he put the house in my trust?”
Luca frowned.
“He said he wanted you protected.”
Teresa nodded.
“He did.”
She looked out the window.
“Giovanni knew how quickly people change when money is involved.”
Luca said nothing.
“He wanted me to have somewhere that nobody could take away simply because he was gone.”
Her voice softened.
“He said this house should always be mine as long as I wanted it.”
Luca reached for her hand.
“It still is, Ma.”
She looked at him.
“Then make sure the people handling the trust understand that.”
He nodded.
“I will.”
Back at the mansion, Arthur Whitcomb explained the newest findings.
Bellini Development had been acquiring interests in several properties connected to senior housing and private care.
One of those investments involved Lakeview Senior Residence.
The disputed documents would have shifted control over valuable Moretti assets through a complicated series of transfers.
If the plan succeeded, the Bellinis could have gained substantial financial leverage over Teresa's home and care arrangements.
Arthur looked at Luca.
“This wasn't a simple misunderstanding about estate planning.”
Luca's expression hardened.
“I know.”
“It's a coordinated financial scheme.”
Teresa sat quietly.
Then asked a question that surprised everyone.
“Did Isabella's father need the money?”
Arthur hesitated.
“His companies appear to have serious debts.”
Teresa nodded slowly.
“Then that's why.”
Luca turned toward her.
“Ma?”
“Victor Bellini needed our money to save his businesses. Isabella wanted the lifestyle and security she believed came with marrying you.”
Her expression was sad.
“She decided I was standing in the way.”
Luca looked down.
For a moment, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he whispered, “I loved her.”
Teresa touched his cheek.
“I know, sweetheart.”
“I thought she loved me.”
“Perhaps she loved what being with you gave her.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I was going to marry her.”
Teresa leaned closer.
“Then be grateful you learned the truth before you did.”
I quietly left the room.
They needed privacy.
In the kitchen, Marco was preparing lunch.
He took one look at me.
“How did court go?”
“She won.”
His face lit up.
“Mrs. Moretti?”
I nodded.
“The judge denied the emergency guardianship petition.”
Marco closed his eyes.
“Thank God.”
Then he handed me a small plate.
“Eat.”
I almost laughed.
“Marco, I'm not hungry.”
“I didn't ask.”
He pushed the plate toward me.
“Sit.”
I obeyed.
For the first time that day, I realized I hadn't eaten breakfast.
As I took a bite, Mrs. Romano entered.
She was smiling.
“Emma, your father called.”
My heart jumped.
“Is he okay?”
“Very well. He said the officers confirmed they're no longer seeing the man outside his building.”
Relief washed through me.
I immediately called him.
He answered with a warm laugh.
“Emma, I saw you on the news.”
I groaned.
“Dad.”
“You looked terrified.”
“I was.”
He became quiet.
Then said, “I'm proud of you.”
My throat tightened.
“Dad—”
“You stood up for someone who needed help.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I just carried her dinner.”
“No, sweetheart.”
His voice softened.
“You did more than that.”
When the call ended, I sat quietly for several minutes.
Then Luca appeared in the doorway.
“Emma?”
I stood immediately.
“Yes?”
“You don't have to get up every time I enter a room.”
I smiled nervously.
“Habit.”
He looked at my plate.
“Did you eat?”
“Marco threatened me with bread until I did.”
Luca actually laughed.
A real laugh.
The sound surprised both of us.
Then his expression softened.
“My mother wants to thank you.”
“She already has.”
“She's stubborn.”
I smiled.
“I've noticed.”
He hesitated.
Then said, “I want to thank you too.”
I looked down.
“You don't owe me anything.”
“Yes,” he replied quietly. “I do.”
He leaned against the doorframe.
“I spent years thinking taking care of my mother meant paying her bills, hiring the best staff, and making sure the house was comfortable.”
I said nothing.
“But I wasn't paying attention to whether she was happy.”
He looked toward the dining room.
“You noticed.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“She reminded me of my own mother.”
Luca's expression softened.
“Your mother?”
“She died three years ago.”
“I'm sorry.”
I nodded.
“She used to say that kindness isn't complicated. Sometimes you just need to notice when someone is being left out.”
Luca studied me.
“Sounds like she was a remarkable woman.”
I smiled through my tears.
“She was.”
He was about to say something else when his phone rang.
Detective Harris.
Luca answered.
Then his expression changed.
“What?”
A pause.
“Are you sure?”
Another pause.
Then he looked directly at me.
Harris had found evidence linking the threatening messages against my family to a payment authorized by Isabella.
Luca slowly lowered the phone.
“Emma.”
My stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
He swallowed.
“The man who threatened your father has given a statement.”
I stared.
“And?”
May you like
Luca's voice was cold.
“He says Isabella personally ordered him to frighten you into silence.”
