THE MAFIA BOSS NOTICED HIS 61-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER SERVING THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH ONLY ONE HAND—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE BURNED HERSELF ON THE OVEN,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY HER WRIST WAS BANDAGED. “Maria, pour the gravy.”

Carla stepped fully into the light of the hallway. She was wearing a long black trench coat, her face devoid of any emotion. “Carla?” Dominic asked, completely bewildered. “How did you get here?” “I followed Marco’s car,” Carla said simply, keeping the gun leveled at Evelyn’s chest. “I knew you would figure out the locker was a decoy. And I knew Maria would lead you to the real hiding spot.” Evelyn sneered. “Put the gun down, Carla. You don’t have the stomach for this.” Carla cocked the hammer. “Try me.” Dominic stepped in front of Evelyn, shielding the woman he despised to prevent his sister from becoming a murderer. “Carla, put it down,” Dominic ordered softly. “What are you doing?” “Protecting this family,” Carla spat. “Something Mom couldn’t do without leaving a paper trail. She confessed in that letter, didn’t she?” Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “You knew Mom killed Elena?” “Of course I knew,” Carla said, her voice cracking slightly. “I drove Mom to the mechanic’s shop that night. I helped her cover it up.” My hand flew to my mouth. Carla looked at me, her eyes filled with cold regret. “I’m sorry, Maria. I really am. You were always good to us. But I can’t let Evelyn destroy everything we built.” Carla pointed the gun directly at Dominic. “Hand over the trust amendment, Dom. And the drawing.” “Carla, if you burn these, Evelyn still has the adoption papers,” Dominic reasoned, trying to keep his sister calm. “I don’t care about the adoption papers,” Carla said, stepping closer. “If Sofia isn’t biological, she has no legal right to challenge me for the estate once the amendment is gone. I’ll finally control the Russo holdings. Not you. Not this surrogate trash.” Evelyn lunged. It happened so fast. Evelyn didn’t try to attack Carla; she dove for the heavy green wool coat still in Dominic’s hand, trying to rip the trust document away. “No!” Carla screamed, pulling the trigger. The gunshot was deafening in the small hallway. The bullet missed Evelyn by inches, shattering the mirror behind me. Glass rained down on my shoulders. Marco immediately tackled Carla, slamming her against the wall. The gun clattered to the floor. Dominic grabbed Evelyn by the collar, throwing her backward into the living room. “Enough!” Dominic roared, his voice shaking the walls. He picked up the gun from the floor. He looked at his sister, pinned against the wall by Marco, sobbing in defeat. He looked at Evelyn, cowering on the rug, her perfect facade entirely broken. Then, Dominic looked at me. I was standing amidst the shattered glass of my own home, clutching my bleeding wrist, surrounded by the monsters I had served for twenty-three years. “Marco,” Dominic said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Take Carla outside. Put her in the trunk.” Marco didn’t hesitate. He dragged a sobbing Carla out the front door. Dominic walked over to Evelyn. He didn’t raise the gun. He didn’t yell. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “I’m transferring three million dollars into an offshore account,” Dominic said quietly. “It will clear Anthony’s debt.” Evelyn looked up, stunned. “You’re paying them?” “I’m paying you to disappear,” Dominic corrected. “You will sign a full non-disclosure agreement. You will surrender all parental rights. If you ever contact Sofia, if you ever step foot in Chicago again, I will release the footage of your brother confessing to grave robbery, and I will bury you both.” Evelyn stared at him. She knew he meant it. She slowly stood up, brushing off her expensive coat. “Sofia will hate you when she finds out,” Evelyn spat. “She will never find out,” Dominic said. Evelyn walked out the front door, vanishing into the cold November night. Dominic stood alone in my hallway. He looked at the trust amendment in his hand. He looked at his mother’s confession. Then, he walked into my kitchen and turned on the gas stove.