Chapter 6 - Lucille's Version
The Montaro family meeting began at seven.
Rafael arrived at seven-ten.
Not to defend his reputation.
To protect his son.
Lucille sat at the head of the long dining table.
“You finally decided to join us.”
“I came because you've been discussing Emmett.”
Lucille folded her hands.
“I've been discussing you.”
She presented her version calmly.
Rafael had overreacted.
Destroyed property.
Threatened family unity.
Frightened guests.
And now, according to Lucille, he had contacted a woman trying to extort the Montaros.
Sofia.
“She contacted me.”
“Convenient.”
Rafael placed copies of the financial records on the table.
“Then explain these.”
Lucille didn't touch them.
“They're forgeries.”
“You haven't looked.”
“I don't need to.”
Celina shifted uncomfortably.
Rafael noticed.
“So you already know what's in them.”
Lucille's jaw tightened.
Mateo finally spoke.
“Rafael, enough.”
Rafael looked at his father.
“Did Elena steal that money?”
Mateo became pale.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“Answer.”
“Some things were buried for a reason.”
“That's not an answer.”
Mateo looked toward Lucille.
That single glance told Rafael more than words could.
“You knew.”
Mateo whispered, “I knew what I was told.”
“And never questioned it?”
“I was young.”
“You've had twenty-nine years to get older.”
Lucille slammed her palm against the table.
“Enough.”
Everyone fell silent.
Rafael looked at her.
“No. That's how you controlled this family. You decided when conversations ended.”
Lucille rose.
“And you think one tantrum makes you righteous?”
“No.”
Rafael's voice remained quiet.
“My three-year-old son showed me something.”
“What?”
“He walked toward you expecting love.”
Lucille said nothing.
“You could have refused his dessert. You could have walked away. Instead you humiliated him because you were angry at someone else.”
Rafael gathered the documents.
“That's what you do. You punish whoever is weakest when you can't control whoever you're actually afraid of.”
Lucille's face changed.
Rafael left.
Celina followed.
Outside, she caught his arm.
“You need the original ledger.”
“Where?”
Celina looked back toward the house.
“In Lucille's private safe.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I saw it.”
“When?”
“Twenty-nine years ago.”
Rafael stared at her.
May you like
Celina's eyes filled with tears.
“I was one of the relatives who helped destroy Elena.”
