Chapter 14
The morning sun broke through the storm clouds, casting a golden glow over the Romano estate.
Alessandro walked through the quiet hallways of his home, feeling a lightness in the air that hadn't existed in years. The threat was eliminated. Vance was in federal custody, singing about Matteo’s international network. Matteo was on an unmarked vessel heading across the Atlantic, stripped of every dollar and every ounce of influence.
Alessandro pushed open the double doors of the master guest suite.
The room was filled with warm sunlight. Emily was sitting up in bed, color finally returned to her cheeks. She was wearing a soft cream cashmere sweater provided by the staff, watching Zoe play on the Persian rug with a brand-new set of colored pencils and fresh paper.
When Alessandro entered, Emily immediately set aside her cup of tea.
"Alessandro," she said, her voice clear and strong.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, walking over to the foot of the bed.
"Better than I have in three years," she replied, a genuine, radiant smile illuminating her face. "The doctor said the pneumonia broke overnight. He said... he said you stayed awake the entire night handling everything."
"It was my duty," Alessandro said.
Zoe jumped up from the rug, running over to Alessandro and wrapping her arms around his knees. "Look, Uncle Alessandro! Look!"
Alessandro bent down and picked her up. On the paper she had been working on, she had drawn three people holding hands in front of the giant mansion: a tall man in a black suit, a pretty woman with brown hair, and a little girl holding a brown teddy bear.
There was no red X on this drawing. There were only bright yellow sunbeams.
"It's us," Zoe beamed proudly. "We don't have to hide anymore."
Alessandro held the little girl against his chest, feeling the steady, innocent beat of her heart. For the first time since his brother’s disappearance, the ghost of grief that had haunted his life felt like it was finally laid to rest.
"No, Zoe," Alessandro said softly. "You never have to hide again."
He looked at Emily. "I have already instructed my legal team. Zoe’s trust fund has been formally transferred under the Romano family protectorate. Half a billion dollars is in her name, managed by a board that answers only to you and me. You will never want for anything. This house is your home for as long as you live."
Emily’s eyes filled with tears, but this time they were tears of pure relief. "I don't know how to thank you. Julian always told me... he said his brother was a fortress."
"Julian was a good man," Alessandro murmured. "He deserved better than the ending he got."
Alessandro kissed Zoe’s forehead, set her gently back on the bed beside her mother, and walked out of the room to let them rest.
As he walked down the corridor toward his study, Victor fell in beside him, holding an unsealed manila envelope.
"The perimeter is fully restored, Boss," Victor reported. "New biometric protocols are active. Not even a bird flies over the fence without clearance."
"Good work, Victor," Alessandro said. "Take some time off. Spend the weekend with your niece."
"Thank you, Boss," Victor said, his expression softening with gratitude. Then he handed over the envelope. "This just arrived by private courier from Milan. The local authorities finally cleared out Julian’s old apartment after Matteo’s assets were seized. They found this locked inside his private wall safe."
Alessandro took the envelope. His fingers traced the heavy parchment inside.
May you like
The immediate war was won. The family was safe. The justice of Season 1 was complete.
Alessandro stepped into his study, closed the door, and slid his finger under the envelope's wax seal.
