Chapter 11
Lucian did not die that night.
Roman refused him the clean ending.
The old man was moved to a private room under guard.
Michael survived the shoulder wound.
Celeste stayed with him.
Not because they forgave one another.
Because mother and son had lost enough decades to other people’s decisions.
Roman returned to the main estate before dawn.
Sophie ran toward him.
He crouched.
She stopped two feet away.
Remembering Helena’s lessons.
Then slowly approached.
“Daddy real?”
Roman’s chest tightened.
“Yes.”
“Not heaven?”
“No.”
She touched his face.
“Okay.”
Nora watched.
Roman stood.
Helena waited in the library.
No pearls now.
Simple dress.
Maybe intentional.
Roman placed the bell on the table.
“Lucian is alive.”
She closed her eyes.
“Michael?”
“Alive.”
Her breath changed.
“Celeste?”
“Alive.”
Helena almost laughed.
“Everyone.”
“Apparently.”
Roman sat.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Michael?”
“Fear.”
“Of Father?”
“At first.”
“Later?”
“You.”
There it was.
“What did you think I would do?”
“Find him.”
“And?”
“Bring him back.”
“Why bad?”
“Because Vittorio told me Michael would one day kill you.”
Roman almost smiled.
“Father again.”
“Yes.”
Helena looked ashamed.
“I let a dead man control me for decades.”
Roman looked toward Sophie’s room.
“We all did.”
Helena asked:
“What happens to me?”
Roman said nothing immediately.
She waited.
“Do you want to stay?”
Her face changed.
“This is my home.”
“Not the question.”
Helena stared.
“Yes.”
Roman continued:
“Do you want contact with Sophie?”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“Nora decides.”
Helena flinched.
“Roman.”
“No.”
“You lied to Nora.”
“You lied to Sophie.”
“You made my daughter mourn me.”
“That belongs to them.”
Helena looked away.
“And you?”
“I don’t know.”
That hurt more than a sentence.
Good.
Helena whispered:
“I was trying to save her.”
Roman nodded.
“I believe you.”
She looked up.
“Then—”
“And you hurt her.”
Silence.
“Both can be true.”
Helena began crying quietly.
Roman did not comfort her.
Not yet.
Nora entered.
She had heard.
Helena stood.
Nora looked at her for a long moment.
Then:
“You can see Sophie.”
Helena stared.
Roman looked toward Nora.
She continued:
“Not alone.”
“Not now.”
“When?”
“When she asks.”
Helena nodded.
It was more than she expected.
Less than she wanted.
Appropriate.
Nora looked at Roman.
“And the money?”
Roman almost smiled.
“What about it?”
“Fifty thousand.”
“I’m guessing you don’t want it.”
“I want Sophie supported.”
“Yes.”
“But no hidden accounts.”
“Fine.”
“No mother deciding what we need.”
Roman glanced toward Helena.
“Very fine.”
Nora continued:
“And I decide where we live.”
Roman’s chest tightened.
“We?”
Nora looked at him.
“You and I are not together.”
“No.”
“Sophie knows you now.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t take that away.”
Roman nodded.
The answer was enough.
Family without ownership.
May you like
Harder than romance.
More real.
