Chapter 24 - Vivian After the Morettis
Vivian completed probation.
No violation.
She sold her interest in DeMarco Strategic to her brother? Need introduce maybe cousin. Better: she retained ownership but stepped away from the proposed Moretti advisory deal.
Her firm continued wealth-management consulting.
Some clients left.
Most did not.
No complete ruin.
She moved from Boston to New York for a period.
Later returned.
She sent Isabella one letter through counsel after probation.
Isabella asked me whether she should read it.
I said:
“Your choice.”
Growth.
She read.
Vivian wrote:
I struck you because I was angry and afraid and because I believed my status gave me the right to correct you physically.
There.
Not:
I was stressed.
Then:
I suspected your name might connect you to Teresa Romano before the gala. I should have told Vincent. Instead I tried to have you removed from the staff roster because I wanted more time.
There.
I did not know you were Antonio’s daughter.
There.
When the pendant appeared, I understood why my father’s records frightened me.
Then:
I told myself I was protecting a transaction and my father’s reputation. I was also protecting the life I expected to enter.
There.
I am sorry.
No request for forgiveness.
Isabella folded the letter.
“Do you forgive her?”
I nearly asked.
Stopped.
She noticed.
“Good.”
“What?”
“You almost asked.”
“I’m learning.”
She put the letter in a drawer.
Never answered.
May you like
That was enough.
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