Chapter 12
Lucinda’s case did not go to trial immediately.
Her lawyers attacked Dominic’s credibility.
A Mafia boss.
A violent man.
A husband Juliet feared.
A father now trying to look noble because the court was watching.
None of that was entirely false.
That was the danger.
Dominic could not become the hero simply because Lucinda was guilty.
Federal prosecutors pursued their own case against him.
Money laundering.
Illegal gambling.
Extortion-related conspiracy.
Obstruction.
Some offenses predated Juliet.
Some did not.
Dominic entered a negotiated plea after months of litigation.
His cooperation in the Lucinda matter helped separate witness evidence and legitimate child welfare records from criminal intimidation.
It did not erase his crimes.
He received a substantial sentence.
Before reporting, he had to tell Maisie.
She sat on the edge of her bed holding the repaired remains of the birthday gift.
“Are you leaving because of me?”
“No.”
“Because of Iris?”
“No.”
“Because of Lucinda?”
“No.”
He knelt in front of her.
“Because I broke laws. Before this. During this. For years.”
She cried silently.
“Are you bad?”
He almost said no.
Then stopped.
“I did bad things. I am trying to stop lying about them.”
That answer hurt both of them.
It was still better than mythology.
Maisie remained in a structured guardianship arrangement while Dominic served time.
Not removed from him emotionally.
Protected legally.
Her primary caregiver became a court-approved aunt from Dominic’s clean side of the family, with Rebecca and Marianne included in information-sharing.
Dominic could call and visit under rules.
No criminal associates.
No pressure.
No promises that Daddy would fix everything.
May you like
He had spent a lifetime fixing problems with power.
Now the repair required absence.
