Chapter 11 - THE BROTHER WHO FINALLY CAME HOME
Adrian Moretti returned to the Connecticut estate on a cold November afternoon.
Luca stood beneath the stone portico, waiting.
Five years.
Five birthdays.
Five Christmases.
Five years of standing beside an empty grave.
Now his younger brother stepped out of a black sedan.
He was thinner.
His hair had grown longer.
A faint scar crossed his temple.
But when he looked at Luca, the same crooked smile appeared.
"Hey, big brother."
Luca couldn't move.
Adrian took a hesitant step.
Then another.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Luca crossed the distance between them.
He wrapped his arms around his brother.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Luca whispered, "I thought you were dead."
Adrian's shoulders shook.
"I know."
"I looked everywhere."
"I know."
Luca held him tighter.
"I'm so sorry."
Adrian pulled back.
"You didn't do this."
Luca nodded slowly.
But the guilt remained.
Inside the estate, Emma stood near the staircase.
She had returned only to collect the belongings she'd left after Bianca's attack.
Her employment had formally ended.
She wasn't willing to work in the same house where she'd been tied to a chair.
Luca respected that decision.
When Adrian entered, Emma stepped aside.
He looked at her.
"You're Emma?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian smiled.
"I've heard about you."
Emma looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Luca says you saved him from signing away half the family company."
She gave a small smile.
"I just found a recording."
Adrian shook his head.
"Sometimes that's enough."
Emma looked down.
For the first time since the incident, she felt something other than fear when entering the estate.
Then Adrian noticed the healing marks on her wrists.
His expression changed.
"Did Bianca do that?"
Emma nodded.
Adrian's face hardened.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"You didn't do it."
"I know."
He paused.
"But I know what it's like when someone takes away your freedom."
Emma met his eyes.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Noah appeared behind his sister.
He had come with their grandmother to collect Emma's things.
Adrian noticed him immediately.
"Who's this?"
Emma smiled.
"My brother, Noah."
Adrian shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Noah grinned.
"You're the guy who came back from the dead?"
Emma gasped.
"Noah!"
Adrian burst out laughing.
"Pretty much."
The tension broke.
Everyone laughed.
For the first time in months, the estate sounded like a home again.
Later that evening, Adrian asked to speak privately with Luca.
They sat in the library.
The same room where Bianca had made the incriminating phone calls.
Adrian looked toward the fireplace.
"There's something you need to know."
Luca frowned.
"What?"
"Bianca visited me at the clinic."
"I know."
Adrian shook his head.
"No. You don't understand."
He took a breath.
"She came to apologize."
Luca stared.
"What?"
"Three weeks before you found Emma."
Adrian continued.
"She said Martin was planning something terrible."
Luca leaned forward.
"What?"
Adrian's expression darkened.
"She said Emma Carter wasn't supposed to survive the accusation."
May you like
The room went silent.
Then Adrian whispered, "And Bianca told me who ordered it."
