Chapter 12 - THE CALL HE COULD NEVER TAKE BACK|
Luca played the recording three times.
Each time, his expression became more devastated.
I sat beside him in Rosa's greenhouse while rain tapped against the glass roof.
Neither of us had spoken for almost twenty minutes.
Finally, Luca turned off the device.
"She called me that morning."
I nodded.
"I know."
"She told me Victor was stealing from families."
"She said she had proof."
His voice broke.
"And I told her to stay out of my business."
I watched him stare at the floor.
"Why?"
"Because I was angry."
"Because I'd spent years trying to prove I could run the family without her telling me what was right."
He gave a bitter laugh.
"And because I was afraid she was right."
The confession hung between us.
Luca looked toward the white roses.
"She called me again from the hospital."
"She said she loved me."
"She asked me to come."
His eyes filled with tears.
"I promised I would."
"But I had a meeting."
"I told myself there would be time afterward."
I felt my own throat tighten.
"Then the hospital called."
He nodded.
"She was gone."
For a long moment, the only sound was rain.
Then Luca covered his face.
"I keep thinking that if I'd gone straight there, she might still be alive."
I couldn't promise him that.
Nobody could.
But I could tell him something true.
"You didn't know what Victor was planning."
Luca looked up.
"But I knew Mom was frightened."
"And I ignored her."
I took a slow breath.
"Then honor her now by listening to the people who are still asking for help."
He stared at me.
"Even when it costs me everything?"
"Especially then."
Something changed in his expression.
He stood.
Then he reached for his phone.
"Grace."
His attorney answered almost immediately.
"I need to arrange a meeting with Detective Ellis and the federal investigators."
Grace sounded cautious.
"About what?"
"Everything."
I watched Luca turn toward the garden.
"The old investments."
"The hidden partnerships."
"The accounts I've spent years pretending weren't my responsibility."
There was a long pause.
Then Grace said, "Luca, you understand what that could mean?"
"Yes."
"You could face criminal charges."
"I know."
"Then why now?"
Luca looked at his mother's photograph.
"Because she was right."
That afternoon, he began turning over financial records through his attorneys.
Not just documents involving Victor.
Records that could implicate him and his own associates.
For the first time, Luca Moretti was choosing accountability over power.
But making that decision didn't erase what he'd done.
And I knew my own life couldn't remain unchanged either.
That evening, I asked to speak with him privately.
We sat in the library, where I'd served countless dinners and polished hundreds of shelves.
"I want to resign."
Luca stared at me.
"What?"
"From the household."
"Claire, did somebody threaten you again?"
"No."
"Then why?"
I glanced around the room.
"Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life being known as the maid who helped uncover your family's secrets."
"I want to build something of my own."
Luca looked wounded.
"Have I made you feel that you weren't capable?"
"No."
"But this house has become the center of everything that's happened to me."
"I need to know who I am outside it."
He was silent for a long time.
Then he nodded.
"You deserve that."
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
He looked toward the window.
"Will you still visit Dad?"
"Of course."
"And Rex?"
I laughed.
"Especially Rex."
For the first time that day, Luca smiled.
Then he said quietly, "And me?"
My heart skipped.
I looked at him.
"That depends on who you decide to become."
He accepted the answer without arguing.
Two days later, I moved into a small apartment near Hamilton Court.
Margaret Salazar had offered me work with a housing assistance nonprofit.
It wasn't glamorous.
The salary was modest.
But I was helping families understand their rights, organize documents, and find support.
For the first time, I felt as though I was building a life chosen entirely by me.
Luca continued cooperating with investigators.
Vanessa remained in custody.
Dr. Vale had disappeared.
And Victor Bellini was becoming increasingly desperate.
Then, on a cold Friday evening, Frank called me.
His voice was unusually strained.
"Claire, I need to ask you something."
"Of course."
"Do you think Rosa would ever forgive me?"
I sat down.
"Mr. Moretti, I can't answer that for her."
He sighed.
"I know."
"But I think she'd want you to do the right thing now."
Frank was quiet.
Then he whispered, "I hope so."
Before I could ask what was wrong, he said goodbye.
The following morning, Luca called.
"Claire, have you heard from Dad?"
"Not since last night."
His breathing was uneven.
"He's gone."
I stood.
"What do you mean?"
"His driver found a note in the garage."
"What did it say?"
Luca paused.
Then he read it aloud.
Victor says he has Rosa's final recording.
He wants me to bring the original property files.
I have to finish what I should have done three years ago.
Please don't follow me.
I felt my knees weaken.
"Where did he go?"
"We don't know."
Then I heard a familiar bark in the background.
Rex.
Luca spoke again.
"Claire, there's something else."
"The garage camera shows Dad getting into a car."
"Someone was waiting for him."
"Who?"
May you like
Luca's voice dropped.
"Dr. Adrian Vale."
