Chapter 8 - THE LETTER
The children sat between Nia and Luca as the letter was opened.
The first sentence was simple.
Dear little ones,
Nia immediately began crying.
Anthony had written the letter before his death.
He explained that he had learned about the twins before anyone else.
He had wanted to meet them.
But he feared Victor would use them to gain control of the trust.
So he created protections.
He transferred part of the fortune into a protected account.
He created educational funds.
And he left one final instruction.
Never let money decide whether you belong to each other.
Luca wiped his eyes.
The twins listened quietly.
Then Anthony wrote something that surprised Nia.
Your mother is stronger than anyone in this family. If you ever have to choose between wealth and truth, choose your mother.
Nia couldn't speak.
The letter ended with one final sentence.
And tell your father that I was wrong about her.
Luca lowered his head.
That sentence broke him.
For years, he had blamed Nia.
His father had planted doubt.
Victor had fed it.
And Luca had allowed pride to finish the job.
He turned toward Nia.
“I am sorry.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
“I should have believed you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have searched.”
“Yes.”
“I lost eight years.”
Nia looked at him.
“So did I.”
The twins reached for both their hands.
Neither adult spoke.
For the first time, the family sat together without a lie between them.
But outside the house, cameras waited.
The scandal was becoming national news.
And reporters were asking one question:
What would happen to the Moretti empire?
Nia already knew.
She had no interest in keeping it.
May you like
She wanted something else.
A future for her children that wasn't built on secrets.
