Chapter 7 - THE SON WHO FINALLY SPOKE
Leo survived.
The bullet passed through his shoulder.
For three days, Tessa stayed beside him.
Declan visited once.
He stood at the doorway.
Leo looked at him.
“You can come in.”
Declan entered.
“I owe you an apology.”
Leo said nothing.
“I failed you.”
“Yes.”
Declan accepted it.
“I thought strength meant making you hard.”
Leo looked away.
“You made me afraid.”
“I know.”
“I spent years believing there was something wrong with me.”
Declan's eyes became wet.
“There was never anything wrong with you.”
Leo stared at him.
“Then why didn't you say that?”
Declan had no answer.
Tessa watched silently.
Then Leo asked:
“Did you poison Mom?”
Declan's face changed.
“No.”
“Do you know who did?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Declan looked toward the door.
“Dominic.”
Leo closed his eyes.
The final piece fell into place.
Dominic had manipulated the doctor.
Stolen Leo's money.
Financed rivals.
And murdered Leo's mother.
Declan had known.
But he hadn't had proof.
Until now.
The ledger was proof.
Tessa handed it over.
Declan looked through it.
His expression hardened.
“Then this ends tonight.”
Leo shook his head.
“No.”
Declan looked at him.
“I won't become you.”
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Leo stood despite the pain.
“You built an empire on fear.”
He looked at his father.
“I want to build something people don't have to fear.”
Declan stared at him.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
“You are your mother's son.”
That night, Leo and Tessa attended a family meeting.
Dominic was there.
So were the other senior members.
Dominic smiled when he saw Leo.
“You survived.”
Leo sat at the head of the table.
Dominic laughed.
“You really think you belong there?”
Leo placed the ledger on the table.
The laughter stopped.
Dominic stared.
“Where did you get that?”
“Your mother kept copies,” Leo said.
Dominic's face changed.
Then he reached for his gun.
Declan's men drew theirs first.
Dominic realized the room had turned against him.
“You're all making a mistake.”
Leo looked at him.
“No.”
Dominic's voice became desperate.
“Your father will destroy everything!”
Leo shook his head.
“No.”
May you like
He looked around the room.
“I will.”
