Chapter 6 - The Night Antonio Died
Gabriel read the message three times.
Then he handed the phone to Norah.
She read it.
“No.”
Gabriel frowned.
“No what?”
“No confronting Jude tonight.”
“My mother just died carrying secrets because everyone decided silence was safer.”
“That doesn't mean you need to tear the house apart before breakfast.”
Gabriel paced.
Norah blocked the doorway.
He almost laughed.
“You think you're stopping me?”
“Yes.”
“You're five-foot-four.”
“Five-five.”
“My mistake.”
“You're also exhausted and grieving.”
Gabriel looked toward Rosa.
That ended the argument.
For several hours they remained with the family.
Arrangements were made quietly.
Matteo stayed.
Gabriel allowed it.
That alone told Norah something fundamental had changed.
Jude arrived shortly before noon.
He entered Rosa's room.
Stopped beside the bed.
And cried.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
He simply bowed his head.
Gabriel watched him.
Then said:
“Benny contacted me.”
Jude froze.
Norah saw the truth immediately.
Whatever the secret was, Jude knew.
Gabriel continued.
“He told me to ask about the night Antonio died.”
Jude looked at Rosa.
“Not here.”
They moved to the library.
Norah followed.
Gabriel did not object.
Matteo joined them.
Four people sat around the old fireplace.
Jude remained standing.
“Antonio's death wasn't murder.”
Gabriel's expression hardened.
“I didn't ask if it was.”
Jude nodded slowly.
“The official record says cardiac arrest.”
“Yes.”
“That part was true.”
Gabriel waited.
“But it happened during an argument.”
“With whom?”
Jude looked at Matteo.
“Me?”
Matteo asked.
Jude shook his head.
“Rosa.”
Gabriel went still.
Jude explained.
Antonio had discovered Rosa's plan.
He learned Gabriel was alive.
He wanted the boy returned immediately.
Rosa refused.
They argued.
Antonio became physically overwhelmed by stress.
He collapsed.
Rosa tried to save him.
So did Jude.
But Antonio died before the physician arrived.
Gabriel remained silent.
“So my mother believed she killed him.”
“Yes.”
“That's why she carried guilt.”
“Yes.”
Norah thought back to Rosa's confused words.
Murderer.
You took my husband.
But Rosa had not been accusing Gabriel.
She had been repeating accusations she had thrown at herself.
Gabriel understood too.
“She wasn't afraid of me.”
“No.”
Jude's eyes filled with grief.
“She was afraid you would become trapped in the same cycle.”
Gabriel sat.
The family mystery that had seemed enormous only days earlier suddenly felt painfully simple.
Fear.
Love.
Misunderstanding.
People trying to protect each other and creating wounds in the process.
No mastermind.
No grand betrayal.
Just human beings making desperate choices.
Norah placed a hand on Gabriel's shoulder.
He did not pull away.
Three days later Rosa was buried beneath a cedar tree on the estate grounds.
She had chosen the spot herself.
No cameras.
No crowds.
Only family.
Matteo stood beside Gabriel.
Norah remained several steps behind.
After the service Gabriel approached her.
“You're leaving.”
It wasn't a question.
“My contract ended when Rosa died.”
“I can extend it.”
“As what?”
Gabriel looked almost uncomfortable.
Norah enjoyed that far more than she should have.
“You could manage medical care for the estate.”
“The estate doesn't need medical care.”
“I get headaches.”
“Drink water.”
“My back hurts.”
“Stretch.”
“I sleep badly.”
“Stop drinking espresso at midnight.”
Gabriel sighed.
“You're making this difficult.”
“I'm trying to make you say what you actually mean.”
He looked at her.
For once the powerful Gabriel Gallow had no prepared answer.
Norah waited.
Finally:
“I don't want you to leave.”
Her teasing disappeared.
“Gabriel.”
“I know the timing is terrible.”
“It is.”
“I know my life is complicated.”
“That's an understatement.”
“I know you don't need saving.”
Norah raised an eyebrow.
“Good start.”
He stepped closer.
“But I think I need someone who doesn't care who I'm supposed to be.”
Norah's chest tightened.
“That's a dangerous thing to ask from someone.”
“I know.”
“What happens when we disagree?”
“We argue.”
“We do that already.”
“You usually win.”
“Usually?”
He smiled.
A real smile this time.
Norah had rarely seen it.
Then she looked toward Rosa's grave.
She could almost hear the old woman's voice.
Marry someone rich.
Norah laughed.
Gabriel frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She looked at him again.
“I'm not staying because you pay me.”
“I know.”
“And I'm not moving into this ridiculous fortress.”
His smile widened.
“We'll negotiate.”
“And the west wing?”
“I'll show you.”
“All of it?”
“Most of it.”
Norah stared.
“Gabriel.”
“All of it.”
She nodded.
“Then maybe I stay for dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“One dinner.”
His expression softened.
“I'll take it.”
As they walked toward the house, Matteo called Gabriel.
He held an envelope.
“Your mother left this for you.”
Gabriel opened it.
Inside was a handwritten note.
Only six lines.
He read them silently.
Then gave it to Norah.
The final sentence made her stop.
If Norah is standing beside you when you read this, stop being an idiot and tell her you love her.
Norah slowly raised her eyes.
Gabriel looked genuinely horrified.
For the first time since she had met him, Norah burst into uncontrollable laughter.
May you like
And Gabriel Gallow turned red.
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