HE BEGGED THE NURSES TO KEEP HER AWAY.

I hesitated, my hands trembling as I stepped into the lavish master suite. I had never been allowed in this room while the family was present.

Luca gently released Olivia. He walked over to the open wall safe. He reached inside one last time.

He pulled out a heavy, dark grey wool coat.

It was wrapped in a clear plastic dry-cleaning bag, but the left sleeve was stiff and stained dark brown.

Olivia let out a ragged breath. "Is that..."

"The police gave it to Adrian at the hospital," Luca said quietly. "He hid it in the safe with the watch."

Luca walked over and gently laid the coat across the edge of the bed. He unzipped the plastic bag. The faint scent of Matthew’s cologne—cedar and sandalwood—immediately filled the air.

Olivia covered her mouth, fresh tears spilling over her cheeks. Eleanor walked forward, resting a trembling hand on the fabric of her son’s coat.

"There's something in the pocket," Luca said.

Olivia reached out. Her fingers brushed against the wool, lingering on the lapel. Slowly, she slipped her hand into the deep right pocket.

She pulled out a small, folded piece of thick cream-colored stationery.

It wasn't stained with blood. It was perfectly clean.

Olivia’s hands shook as she unfolded the letter. She recognized the handwriting immediately. It was Matthew’s neat, architectural script.

She began to read aloud, her voice trembling.

"My beautiful Olivia. If you are reading this, it means I didn't make it to the flight. It means Adrian found out what I knew."

Olivia choked on a sob. Luca gently placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her the strength to continue.

"I am so sorry I didn't tell you the truth. I found out Adrian was laundering money through the restaurant. He threatened to hurt you and the baby if I exposed him. I couldn't risk our family. I booked the tickets to Switzerland. I packed a bag. But I couldn't leave without making sure you would be safe forever."

Olivia wiped her eyes, reading the next lines.

"I didn't run away. I went to the police. I gave them a flash drive with every single encrypted file from Adrian's accounts. By the time you read this, Adrian will be under investigation. He will never be able to hurt you."

Eleanor wept, pressing her hand to her chest. Her son had died a hero. He had died protecting his family.

"I love you, Olivia," the letter concluded. "More than life itself. Tell our baby girl that her father loved her before she was even born. And please, look inside the inside chest pocket of this coat. I left one final gift for my two beautiful girls. Forever yours, Matthew."

Olivia couldn't see the paper anymore. Her tears blinded her. She dropped the letter and desperately reached into the inside chest pocket of the coat.

Her fingers brushed against something hard and wrapped in soft velvet.

She pulled it out.

It was a small, worn, leather-bound box.

Olivia opened it.

Inside rested a stunning, delicate silver necklace. But it wasn't just jewelry. Hanging from the silver chain was a small, antique key.

And tucked behind the necklace was a small card.

Olivia pulled the card out and read it.

She looked up at Luca, her eyes wide with shock.

"What is it?" Luca asked softly.

"It's a safety deposit box key," Olivia whispered. "In a bank in Zurich."

Eleanor frowned. "What's in the box, sweetheart?"

Olivia looked down at the card, her lips trembling into a smile that was so bright, so full of genuine joy, that it lit up the entire room.

"He sold his shares of the restaurant," Olivia cried, laughing through her tears. "He sold them to a private buyer in New York three days before he died. Adrian thought he still owned them, but he didn't. The money... Matthew put the money in a trust fund for Emma in Switzerland. Two million dollars."

Eleanor gasped.

Matthew hadn't just protected them from Adrian. He had ensured they would be taken care of for the rest of their lives. Adrian had murdered Matthew for shares he didn't even own anymore.

Olivia clutched the necklace to her chest, falling into Eleanor’s arms, both women sobbing with profound relief and love.

Luca watched them, a rare, genuine smile crossing his stern face.

Then, he looked back at me.

"Claire," he said.

"Yes, Mr. Moretti?"

"You saw Vanessa put the watch in the safe," he said. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

I swallowed hard, looking down at my hands. "Because Miss Bellini told me if I ever interfered with Olivia, she would fire me. My mother is sick. I send her my paychecks. If I lost this job, we would lose our apartment."

Luca stared at me. He looked at my worn shoes, my simple maid's uniform, and the cardigan that was still wrapped around his sister’s shoulders.

"You risked your job, and your mother's home, to protect my sister tonight," Luca said quietly.

"She needed a chair, sir," I whispered. "Nobody should have to beg for a chair."

Luca nodded slowly.

"You're right," he said. "You're fired."

My heart stopped.

The air rushed out of my lungs. I felt dizzy.

"Sir?" I gasped, the tears immediately springing to my eyes. "Please... Mr. Moretti, please, I'll do anything. I'll work double shifts. Please don't fire me."

"I'm firing you from the cleaning staff," Luca clarified, his voice softening. "Because the estate manager quit last month, and I need someone who actually cares about this family to run my house."

I froze. "Estate manager?"

"It comes with a fifty percent pay raise," Luca said smoothly. "Full medical benefits. And a private suite on the third floor. Your mother can move in with you. We have a private nurse on staff who can assist her."

My legs gave out.

I literally collapsed to my knees, sobbing into my hands.

"Thank you," I wept, unable to control my emotions. "Thank you, Mr. Moretti. Thank you so much."