Chapter 11 - THE PROMISE DANIEL MADE WITHOUT TELLING EMILY
Emily was furious.
Not at Dominic.
At Daniel.
“He named you guardian without telling me?”
Dominic stayed calm.
“Yes.”
“That is not romantic.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
“It is insane.”
“Agreed.”
“Why you?”
Marco answered.
“Because Daniel thought Dominic was the only person Sofia feared.”
Emily paced.
“He told me to run from Vitalis.”
“He told you that before he understood the truth,” Marco said.
“Then he changed his mind and never told me.”
“Yes.”
That hurt.
Dominic understood.
Dead people left decisions behind without staying to explain them.
He was tired of that too.
Emily took a breath.
“I am not dying.”
“Good plan,” Dominic said.
She glared.
He almost smiled.
Then the trust attorney arrived.
Daniel’s documents were valid.
Rose’s inheritance remained frozen until adulthood.
No one could touch it without independent trustees.
Sofia’s financial motive weakened.
But desperation made people more dangerous.
Then Rose’s school contacted Emily.
Someone had tried to pick Rose up.
A woman.
Blonde.
Using Emily’s name.
Security refused.
The woman left before police arrived.
Dominic’s entire expression changed.
“Enough.”
He moved Emily and Rose into the most secure wing of Vitali House.
Emily objected.
Then Rose said:
“Can we stay near Uncle Dominic’s piano?”
Emily lost the argument.
That night, Rose slept in Maria’s old room.
Emily stood on the balcony.
Dominic joined her.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“All of it.”
“You didn’t create it.”
“I’m still standing in the middle.”
“So am I.”
Silence.
Then Emily said:
“Daniel trusted you at the end.”
“I wish I knew why.”
“Maybe because you were protecting people without realizing they were family.”
Dominic looked at her.
There was warmth in her face.
Dangerous warmth.
He stepped closer.
Then stopped.
“Emily.”
“Yes?”
“I want to kiss you.”
Her breath caught.
“That is terrible timing.”
“Yes.”
“My husband has been dead one year.”
“I know.”
“My daughter is being hunted by your cousin.”
“I know.”
“You just discovered my dead husband was your brother.”
“I am painfully aware.”
She laughed despite herself.
Then became serious.
“Not yet.”
Dominic nodded immediately.
“Okay.”
That answer mattered.
No pressure.
No offense.
He stepped back.
Then Rose screamed from inside.
They ran.
She stood beside the piano.
Not hurt.
Holding a letter.
“I found Grandma Maria’s secret.”
Dominic froze.
“Where?”
“Inside the bench.”
The envelope was addressed to:
EMILY BENNETT.
Written decades before Emily ever entered Vitali House.
Emily whispered:
“That’s impossible.”
Dominic opened it.
May you like
Maria’s handwriting:
If Daniel Bennett’s wife ever comes to this house, tell her the accident that killed him was meant for Dominic.
