Chapter 13
Vincent admitted taking Sarah’s papers.
His reason was not loyalty to Mark.
It was loyalty to Richard.
“I thought the letter would destroy you.”
Richard stared at the man who had stood beside him for twenty-seven years.
“So you hid it.”
“Yes.”
“And Claudia got it how?”
Vincent looked ashamed.
“Mark asked for Sarah’s boxes later. Claudia was with him.”
Richard understood.
One act of protection created another weapon.
Vincent had hidden Sarah’s judgment of Richard because he thought a Mafia boss needed to remain unquestioned.
Mark later regained the papers.
Claudia found the letter.
Then stored it until hurting Richard became useful.
The betrayal had layers now.
Claudia.
Mark.
Vincent.
Different motives.
Same habit.
Hide the truth to protect power.
Richard removed Vincent from his position that afternoon.
Vincent did not argue.
Before leaving, he said:
“I would do a lot differently.”
Richard’s voice remained quiet.
“So would Sarah.”
Vincent lowered his eyes.
No revenge was necessary.
Losing Richard’s trust after nearly three decades was punishment enough.
Upstairs, Noah sat at the kitchen table coloring.
Richard had framed the birthday drawing temporarily in a simple black frame.
Noah kept looking at it.
“Grandpa?”
“Yes?”
“Daddy mad at me?”
Richard’s chest tightened.
“No.”
“Claudia?”
“Noah, none of this happened because of you.”
The boy stared at his crayons.
Richard could almost see Mark’s old poison working inside him.
People leave because you are bad.
Mommy died because you cried.
Richard crouched beside him.
“Look at me.”
Noah did.
“You didn't make Mommy die.”
Noah’s lip trembled.
“You didn't make Daddy lie.”
Tears filled the boy’s eyes.
“And you didn't make Claudia hurt you.”
Noah whispered:
“Then why?”
Richard had answers for adults.
Fear.
Money.
Affairs.
Power.
Cowardice.
None belonged inside a three-year-old.
“Because grown-ups made bad choices.”
Noah thought for a long time.
May you like
Then asked the question Richard had been dreading.
“Are you sending Daddy away?”
