Chapter 14 - What Happened Six Years Ago
The photograph led them back to Luca.
His recovered phone contained one encrypted folder technicians had never opened.
Now they did.
Inside were documents showing Luca had not investigated Alessandro alone.
He had worked with another Moretti.
Vittorio.
The uncle had lied again.
Dante confronted him.
Vittorio finally admitted the complete truth.
He and Luca planned to expose Alessandro.
But on the night of the crash, Vittorio lost courage.
He warned Alessandro.
Not intending murder.
Only hoping to frighten Luca away.
Instead, his warning gave Alessandro time to sabotage the car.
Vittorio had spent six years knowing his cowardice contributed to Luca’s death.
Dante was furious.
But fury no longer controlled him.
“You should have told me.”
“I was ashamed.”
“So you let me blame myself.”
Vittorio cried.
Dante had never seen his uncle cry.
“I’m sorry.”
Dante did not forgive him that day.
He did something harder.
He left.
Outside, Anna waited.
“How did it go?”
“He told the truth.”
“And?”
“I hate him.”
“That’s allowed.”
Dante looked at her.
“I also love him.”
“That’s allowed too.”
The simplicity of her answer relieved him.
People could be guilty and loved.
Hurt and forgiven.
Strong and assisted.
Disabled and powerful.
Human beings did not need to fit one category.
That evening, Dante returned to Vittorio.
“I’m not ready to forgive you.”
Vittorio nodded.
“But I’m done carrying your guilt.”
Vittorio began crying again.
Dante left.
The anonymous photograph turned out to have been sent by one of Alessandro’s former associates hoping to frighten Dante into paying for silence.
Marco identified him within forty-eight hours.
For the first time, a threat ended quickly.
No kidnapping.
No fire.
No conspiracy.
Just consequences.
Anna joked that they were becoming boring.
Dante said boring sounded wonderful.
Then the hospital offered Anna a promotion in Boston.
May you like
She did not tell Dante immediately.
That mistake nearly cost them everything.
