Part 6
Part 6 · 2 min read ·
“From the private security system in my office.”
“You’re recording your own mother?”
“I’m protecting my company.”
Vivian laughed bitterly.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
Luca opened another folder.
Inside were financial statements, unauthorized transfers, and emails connecting Isabella to a series of suspicious transactions involving a subsidiary company.
For months, someone had been diverting money through shell corporations.
And the person approving those transactions was Isabella.
But the person who had authorized the arrangement was Vivian.
“You used my signature,” Luca said.
Vivian’s face hardened.
“I did what was necessary to protect this family.”
“You stole from my company.”
“I built this company alongside your father!”
“And then you used it to destroy my marriage?”
Vivian slammed her hand against the table.
“That woman is nothing! She came into this family with no connections, no respectable background, and no understanding of how powerful people operate!”
Luca slowly closed the folder.
“You’re wrong about one thing.”
“What?”
“Nora never needed this family.”
He looked toward the board.
“Effective immediately, my mother is suspended from all executive authority pending an independent investigation. Isabella’s consulting agreement is terminated. Every questionable transaction will be referred to our external auditors and legal counsel.”
Vivian stared at him.
“You would destroy your own mother for that woman?”
Luca’s voice dropped.
“No. I destroyed my marriage myself. I’m simply refusing to destroy my company along with it.”
He walked out.
For the first time in years, the Ferraro empire was no longer his mother’s playground.
But there was still one person he needed to face.
His wife.
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING
Two days later, Luca came to St. Bridget’s.
He didn’t bring diamonds.
He didn’t bring expensive flowers.
He carried a small white teddy bear.
I was sitting beside Lily’s hospital bed when he entered.
She looked at him curiously.
“Are you Nora’s husband?”
Luca stopped.
“Yes.”
“Why haven’t you visited before?”
I lowered my eyes.
Luca didn’t make excuses.
“Because I made a mistake.”
Lily studied him.
“Did you make Nora cry?”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Then you should say sorry.”
A faint smile touched my lips.
Luca knelt beside her bed.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Lily.”
She accepted the teddy bear.
Then she asked the question that neither of us expected.
“Are you going to take Nora away?”
Luca looked at me.
“No. Nobody is going to take her away from you.”
Lily reached for my hand.
“Good. Because she promised she’d stay until I got better.”
I felt tears gathering in my eyes.
Luca looked at the monitors, the medical equipment, and the little girl whose future had become the center of my world.
Then he turned toward me.
“I’ve spoken with the hospital. I’ll help with whatever treatment she needs, but only if you allow me to.”
“I don’t need your money.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
He looked down at his hands.
“Because I want to help. Not because I think it gives me the right to stay.”
For the first time, I believed he understood the difference.
THE FINAL SHOCK
A week later, the hospital called.
Lily had been approved for a transplant evaluation.
There was hope.
But there was another complication.
My own condition had worsened.
The doctors recommended a procedure and warned me that recovery would take time.