Chapter 8 - THE BROKEN GLASS
“Vanessa, drop it!” Luca commanded, stepping between her and his brother’s family.
The FBI agents immediately raised their weapons, red laser sights painting Vanessa’s chest.
“Put the weapon down, ma'am! Now!” Agent Harrison shouted.
Vanessa didn't blink. Her makeup was smeared, her hair plastered to her face. She looked completely unhinged. She stared at Anna with burning, venomous hatred.
“My father is going to prison because of you,” Vanessa hissed, her hand trembling violently around the grip of the pistol. “We lost everything. The company, the money, the reputation. All because you couldn't keep your mouth shut.”
“Vanessa, your father kidnapped a child!” Michael yelled, shielding Anna and Sophia behind his body. “He tried to frame me!”
“He was doing what he had to do!” she screamed back, tears mixing with the rain on her face. She turned the gun toward Luca. “And you. You let them take him. You chose this… this maid over me. Over our future!”
Luca didn't raise his hands. He just stood tall, his voice eerily calm. “We had no future, Vanessa. You proved that when you tried to destroy my brother's marriage tonight. Now put the gun down before they shoot you.”
“I don't care!” she shrieked.
I saw her finger tighten on the trigger.
I didn't think about the ten million dollars. I didn't think about my mother. I just knew that if Vanessa fired, someone I cared about was going to die.
I grabbed the heavy metal flashlight Enzo had dropped earlier.
With all my strength, I hurled it across the room.
It smashed directly into Vanessa’s wrist. She screamed in pain, dropping the gun. It hit the concrete and slid away.
In a flash, two FBI agents tackled her to the ground, zip-tying her wrists as she thrashed and sobbed.
“You ruined my life!” Vanessa screamed at me as they hauled her to her feet. “You’re nothing! You’re just a maid!”
I stood up straight, brushing the concrete dust off my torn apron.
“I may be a maid,” I said quietly, my voice carrying over her screams. “But at least I know the value of family.”
They dragged her out into the rain, shoving her into the back of a squad car.
The warehouse was finally quiet.
Luca walked over to me. He looked at my bruised hands, my torn clothes, and the dirt on my face. Then, slowly, he reached into his jacket pocket.
He pulled out the faded Polaroid photograph of my mother.
“Marco owed your family a blood debt,” Luca said softly. “Ten million dollars. The trust was yours by right, Emily. And Marco stole it.”
He held the photo out to me.
“But I am the head of the Moretti family now. And I honor my father's debts.”
I stared at the photo, my vision blurring with tears. Ten million dollars. It was a number so large it didn't even feel real. It meant my mother would never have to worry about medical bills again. It meant we were safe.
“Take it,” Luca urged gently.
I reached out, my fingers brushing against his warm hand as I took the photograph.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“No,” Luca said, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. “Thank you.”
Agent Harrison approached, coughing politely to interrupt the moment. “Mr. Moretti, we need to take your statements down at the field office. Then you're free to go.”
Luca nodded. He looked at Michael and Anna, who were still holding Sophia tight.
“Go home, Mike,” Luca said softly. “Take your girls. The nightmare is over.”
Michael stood up, tears in his eyes. He pulled his older brother into a fierce embrace. “I love you, Luca.”
“I love you too, little brother.”
We walked out of the warehouse into the cool, pre-dawn air. The rain had stopped, leaving the city slick and shining under the streetlights.
I was about to walk toward the ambulance to get my bruises checked, but Luca caught my arm.
“Emily,” he said.
I turned around.
“You’re not going back to the estate as a maid,” he said firmly.
My heart sank. “You’re firing me?”
May you like
A small, genuine smile broke across his bruised face. “I’m retiring you. You’re a millionaire now. You don't have to serve anyone ever again.”
He opened the door of his SUV. “Get in. Let’s go see your mother.”
