Chapter 8 - THE DAY I STOPPED BEING MY UNCLE'S SON
I wanted to kill Vittorio Mancini.
For one terrible moment, I wanted nothing else.
He had stolen my father.
My mother.
Seventeen years with Sofia.
Seventeen years with Elena.
And nearly taken my daughter's life.
My hands trembled.
Enzo watched me carefully.
"Luca."
I didn't answer.
"Luca, look at me."
I slowly turned.
"Don't give him what he wants."
I stared.
"What?"
"Vittorio wants you angry. Reckless. Violent."
Enzo coughed.
"He wants you to destroy yourself before the investigation reaches him."
I looked toward the floor.
He was right.
For years, Vittorio had taught me that fear was the only language enemies understood.
Now I realized he'd been teaching me to become exactly like him.
I stood.
Then did something I never imagined doing.
I called the federal investigator handling Victor Salerno's statement.
"My name is Luca Mancini."
There was a pause.
"Mr. Mancini."
"I have information about a conspiracy involving my uncle."
The investigator's voice became professional.
"We can arrange a meeting."
"I want to cooperate."
Silence.
Then:
"Are you prepared to provide records and testimony?"
I looked at Enzo.
He nodded.
"Yes," I answered.
"And I understand I may need to answer questions about my own activities."
The investigator paused.
"We'll discuss that with your attorney present."
I ended the call.
Enzo smiled weakly.
"Your father would be proud."
My eyes filled.
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do."
I returned to Elena's room.
She was still unconscious.
Her condition remained serious but stable.
Machines hummed softly.
Sofia sat beside her, holding her hand.
When she saw me, she stood.
"Luca?"
I approached the bed.
For the first time, I allowed myself to really look at my daughter.
The curve of her eyebrows.
Her dark hair.
The tiny scar beneath her eye.
Sofia's eyes.
My mouth.
A beautiful mixture of two people who had loved each other long ago.
I sat beside her.
"Hey, Elena."
My voice broke.
"I'm Luca."
Sofia began crying quietly.
"I know you don't know me."
I swallowed.
"And you don't owe me anything."
I gently touched the edge of the blanket.
"But I'm here."
Tears streamed down my face.
"And if you give me a chance, I'd like to get to know you."
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then Elena's fingers moved.
I froze.
"Sofia?"
She leaned forward.
Elena's eyelids fluttered.
Her lips parted.
And in a barely audible whisper, she said:
"Mom?"
Sofia gasped.
"Baby?"
Elena turned her head slightly.
Her eyes moved toward me.
Confusion crossed her face.
Then she whispered:
"Who are you?"
My heart broke.
I opened my mouth.
But before I could answer, Elena stared at me more closely.
Her expression changed.
May you like
And she whispered something I never expected.
"You're the man from Mom's photograph."
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