Chapter 6 - The Man Who Took the Blame"Put it down," Dominic said.
Carmine slowly removed his hand from his jacket.
The gun remained holstered.
"I came here to tell you the truth."
"You had twelve years."
"I was trying to protect you."
Dominic's laugh was bitter.
"By following my car on the night someone tried to kill me?"
Carmine looked at Fay.
"Leave the room."
"No," Dominic replied. "She stays."
For a long moment, Carmine said nothing.
Then he explained.
The night of the crash, Vincent had called him and claimed Dominic was in danger. He instructed Carmine to shut down the estate cameras and follow Dominic's car.
Carmine had obeyed.
When he arrived at the road, Dominic's vehicle had already crashed. Vincent stood beside it, insisting that Dominic had lost control.
Carmine had found Dominic alive.
He had also found a second set of tire tracks leading away from the scene.
But Vincent threatened to have Carmine's daughter arrested on fabricated charges if he spoke.
Carmine had made a terrible choice.
He had stayed silent.
"You let me believe the crash was an accident," Dominic said.
"I thought you would die in the hospital. When you survived, I was afraid Vincent would finish what he'd started."
"So you protected me by hiding the truth?"
"I protected you by keeping him close enough to watch."
Dominic turned away.
Fay could see the devastation in his face.
Carmine wasn't innocent.
But neither was he the man who had attacked Dominic.
Before Dominic could respond, the study door opened.
Vincent entered with two security guards.
"I was wondering how long this little reunion would take."
Dominic wheeled toward him.
"You tried to kill me."
Vincent sighed.
"That's a serious accusation."
"We have footage."
"Damaged footage. And a driver who admits to tampering with security records."
Vincent placed a folder on the table.
"Tomorrow morning, the board will vote on your medical guardianship. After that, I'll assume control of the company."
"You'll never get it."
"I already have the votes."
Fay stepped forward.
"Why?"
Vincent looked at her as though he had forgotten she existed.
"Excuse me?"
"Why did you do it?"
His smile was cold.
"Because Dominic had everything. The company, the estate, the respect of our father. I spent my entire life being the second son."
"So you destroyed his life?"
"I corrected an unfair arrangement."
Dominic's face was pale.
"You were my brother."
Vincent's expression flickered.
For a second, something resembling shame appeared.
Then it disappeared.
"Tomorrow, you'll sign the papers."
He left with the guards.
Carmine stood motionless.
"I'll accept whatever punishment you decide."
Dominic looked at him.
"I don't know if I can forgive you."
"I understand."
"But I need you to help me stop him."
Carmine nodded.
That night, Fay found Dominic awake in his room.
"Do you think I can ever trust anyone again?" he asked.
She sat beside him.
"Not everyone deserves your trust."
"That isn't an answer."
"No. But you don't have to decide tonight."
He looked at her.
"What if I'm never the man I was before?"
Fay held his gaze.
"Then become someone new."
He reached for her hand.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the phone rang.
Carmine's voice came through, strained and urgent.
"Boss, we found something in Elena's old files."
Dominic sat straighter.
"What?"
"A hospital record. Elena had a child."
May you like
Silence filled the room.
Then Carmine added, "And the birth certificate says the father was you."
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