Chapter 9 - WHAT LUCA GAVE UP FOR US
The scandal lasted months.
Matteo’s recorded confession opened investigations reaching across Washington State.
Victor Sloane survived the shooting and agreed to cooperate.
Jake survived too.
That was more complicated.
Emma saw him after he left the hospital.
I waited outside the room.
When he emerged, his eyes were red.
“She asked if I’m coming home.”
My heart hurt for all three of us.
“What did you say?”
“The truth.”
That was new.
Jake returned every dollar of my inheritance.
Then he left Seattle under federal protection.
Not forgiven.
Not erased.
But alive.
Sometimes that is the only ending people earn.
Luca faced his own consequences.
He closed businesses connected to Matteo’s crimes, surrendered financial records, and separated himself from everything his uncle had corrupted.
It cost him millions.
Possibly hundreds of millions.
One evening, I found him sitting alone overlooking Puget Sound.
“You’re brooding.”
“I’m thinking.”
“Rich-man brooding.”
“I may be significantly less rich soon.”
I sat beside him.
“Tragic.”
His mouth curved.
My ankle had healed.
Emma’s health had stabilized.
For the first time in years, I had money in the bank.
I could leave.
That terrified Luca.
He never said it.
He didn’t need to.
“So,” I said, “what happens now?”
“You choose.”
“That sounds suspiciously healthy.”
“I’ve been practicing.”
I smiled.
He reached into his jacket.
My stomach jumped.
He removed an envelope.
Not a ring.
I was weirdly disappointed.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
Inside were documents for a building in Queen Anne.
Commercial kitchen downstairs.
Apartment upstairs.
Ownership transferred to—
Me.
I stared at him.
“No.”
His face fell.
“You haven’t even—”
“I am not accepting a building.”
“It isn’t charity.”
“If you say investment, I’m hitting you.”
He wisely stopped.
Then I noticed another document.
A business proposal.
Not ownership transferred.
Financing.
A legitimate loan.
My name.
My terms.
My dream.
Years earlier, I had told Jake I wanted a neighborhood café where single parents could work flexible shifts and receive childcare support.
I had forgotten.
Apparently Luca hadn’t.
“How did you know?”
“Mrs. Chen.”
“Traitor.”
“She drives a hard bargain.”
I laughed.
Then cried.
Luca panicked.
“Why are you crying?”
“You bought me a business.”
“I financed a business.”
“That distinction is not helping.”
“I can take it back.”
I kissed him.
He stopped talking.
Later, Emma joined us outside.
She climbed into Luca’s lap.
“Are you staying for dinner?”
He looked at me before answering.
I nodded.
“Yes,” he told her.
Emma leaned against him.
“Good.”
Then she yawned.
“I think Mommy loves you.”
“Emma!”
Luca looked unbearably pleased.
“She does?”
“No.”
Emma nodded seriously.
“She does.”
“Bedtime.”
She giggled as I carried her inside.
Behind me, Luca called:
“Ava?”
I turned.
He was smiling.
I realized something.
I wasn’t afraid anymore.
Not of him.
Not of being alone.
Not of tomorrow.
But there was still one mystery left.
The following morning, a package arrived.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of my mother and Salvatore.
Behind them stood another woman.
I recognized her.
Mrs. Chen.
On the back, my mother had written:
If anything happens to me, Mei knows the final truth.
I looked toward Mrs. Chen.
Her face went white.
May you like
And she whispered:
“I wondered when Katherine would finally make me tell you.”
