Chapter 15 - Sophia Walks Away
The first article appeared at 7:03 p.m.
The second at 7:11.
By eight, cable networks were reporting allegations involving Victor Romano, contractors, officials, unions, and businesses tied to several organized-crime investigations.
Dominic's name appeared too.
Not as prominently as Victor's.
But enough.
Sophia watched from Margaret's living room.
Lily colored beside her.
Margaret slept in the recliner.
Emma sat across the room.
The television showed Dominic's photograph.
An anchor said words Sophia had spent years avoiding.
Racketeering.
Fraud.
Bribery.
Moretti organization.
Lily looked up.
“Why is Mr. Moretti on TV?”
Sophia muted it.
“Because people are talking about some things he did a long time ago.”
“Bad things?”
Sophia hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Did he say sorry?”
“Yes.”
Lily returned to coloring.
“Then he has to fix them.”
Sophia wished adulthood worked that cleanly.
Two days later, Dominic was formally charged with several nonviolent financial and conspiracy offenses.
His attorneys arranged release pending proceedings because of his cooperation.
He returned to the estate.
Sophia did not.
She meant what she had said.
She resigned.
Mrs. Alvarez packed their belongings with tears in her eyes.
Dominic offered money.
Sophia refused.
He offered an apartment.
She refused.
He offered private security.
Sophia accepted that one after Margaret threatened to disown her.
But the guards stayed discreet.
No black SUVs.
No men in the hallway.
Sophia rented a small apartment near Bellwood so Lily could spend time with Margaret.
Dominic called the first night.
“How is she?”
“Lily?”
“Yes.”
“She wants to know whether prison has princess music.”
Dominic sighed.
“What did you say?”
“That you aren't in prison.”
“Yet.”
“Don't.”
He became quiet.
Sophia sat by the window.
“What happens?”
“My lawyers negotiate.”
“Rebecca?”
“Supports credit for cooperation.”
“That sounds promising.”
“It isn't certainty.”
“No.”
Silence.
Then Dominic asked:
“How are you?”
Sophia almost said fine.
Instead:
“Terrified.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“That this is real.”
He understood.
“You could walk away.”
“I did.”
“That isn't what I mean.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
“You mean from you.”
“Yes.”
She did not answer.
Dominic continued:
“I would understand.”
“That doesn't help.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Something selfish.”
He laughed quietly.
“I want you.”
Her eyes filled.
“I want Lily putting terrible drawings on my desk.”
Sophia smiled through tears.
“I want your mother insulting my clothes.”
“She likes your clothes.”
“She called my shoes funeral shoes.”
“That was affection.”
“I want Sunday mornings that aren't scheduled.”
Dominic paused.
“I want to learn princess music.”
Sophia laughed.
“You're desperate.”
“Yes.”
Then his voice changed.
“But I cannot ask you to build a life beside someone who may lose his freedom.”
Sophia whispered:
“You just did.”
“No.”
“You told me what you want.”
“Yes.”
“That counts.”
“I didn't ask.”
“You don't have to.”
They stayed on the phone until after midnight.
For the next several weeks, Dominic changed his businesses.
He resigned from companies connected to questionable contracts.
He sold interests.
He opened records to investigators.
Marco complained constantly.
But he stayed.
One afternoon Marco asked:
“What are we supposed to become?”
Dominic looked around his office.
“A legitimate logistics company.”
Marco stared.
“That sounds boring.”
“Yes.”
“Legal boring?”
“Yes.”
Marco sighed.
“Do we at least keep the good coffee?”
Dominic smiled.
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
Daniel resurfaced.
He entered protective custody voluntarily after leaking the records.
Sophia agreed to let him see Lily.
Supervised.
The first meeting happened in a park.
Daniel stood ten feet away, afraid to approach.
Lily looked at Sophia.
“Who is that?”
Sophia crouched.
“That is your father.”
Lily stared.
Then looked back.
“My daddy?”
“Yes.”
The word hurt.
Lily walked toward Daniel.
He dropped to his knees.
She stopped.
“Where were you?”
Daniel cried.
Sophia looked away.
“I was scared.”
Lily hugged Mr. Whiskers.
“Mommy gets scared.”
“I know.”
“She stays.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
The child had found the sentence adults had spent years avoiding.
“I should have,” he whispered.
Lily looked at him for a long time.
Then held out Mr. Whiskers.
“You can say sorry to him first.”
Daniel laughed through tears.
He took the rabbit.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Whiskers.”
Lily nodded.
“Now Mommy.”
Daniel looked toward Sophia.
She wasn't ready.
But she walked closer.
“I am sorry,” he said.
“I know.”
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He almost smiled.
She continued:
“But you can earn a relationship with Lily.”
Daniel's face crumpled.
“Thank you.”
“Don't thank me. Show up.”
“I will.”
She hoped.
Later that evening, Dominic arrived unexpectedly.
No suit.
No guards visible.
He stood on Margaret's porch holding flowers.
Margaret opened the door.
“You're late.”
“For what?”
“Dinner.”
“I wasn't invited.”
“I know.”
She took the flowers.
“Come in.”
Dominic entered.
Sophia stood in the kitchen.
Their eyes met.
Weeks had passed.
The distance between them felt enormous.
Lily ran.
“Mr. Moretti!”
He caught her.
She hugged him.
“You're not in prison!”
“Excellent observation.”
“Do you have a house?”
“Yes.”
“Mommy has a new house.”
“I heard.”
“You can live here.”
Sophia choked.
Dominic smiled.
“Your grandmother may object.”
Margaret shouted from the dining room:
“I heard that!”
Dinner was ordinary.
Messy.
Uncle Robert told stories.
Emma complained about married life.
Lily dropped peas.
Dominic washed dishes afterward.
Sophia stood beside him.
“I didn't know mafia bosses washed plates.”
“Former.”
“What?”
He looked at her.
“Former.”
She became still.
“What does that mean?”
“I am closing everything illegal.”
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
“For the case?”
“For me.”
Dominic dried his hands.
“And for whoever I am if I get another chance.”
Sophia's throat tightened.
He stepped closer.
“I don't expect you to wait.”
“What if I want to?”
“Then I'll spend every day hoping you don't regret it.”
She touched his face.
“This isn't a promise.”
“I know.”
She kissed him.
A small kiss.
Hopeful.
Then the doorbell rang.
Margaret opened it.
A courier handed her an envelope.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of Dominic and Lily in the park.
On the back:
MATTEO WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WATCHING.
The room fell silent.
Dominic took the photograph.
His expression changed.
Because he recognized the handwriting.
It did not belong to Matteo.
May you like
It belonged to Victor Romano.
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