Chapter 9 - The True Family Table
The next evening, the Santoro estate felt entirely different.
The heavy, oppressive atmosphere that had choked the mansion for the past eight months was completely gone.
The police had arrived early that morning.
Armed with the bearer bonds, the journal, and the confessions of the men Marcus had interrogated, the authorities raided the Ashford compound.
Victoria and her father were arrested for conspiracy, extortion, and the twenty-seven-year-old murder of Nico’s mother.
The news was plastered across every television channel in New Jersey.
But inside the mansion, it was quiet.
I walked into the massive dining room.
The extravagant decorations from the ruined engagement party were gone.
Instead, the long mahogany table was set simply, warmly.
There were only four plates.
Rosa was bringing out a massive bowl of homemade pasta, humming a soft tune. She looked ten years younger.
The shadows under her eyes had vanished.
“Can I help you with that, Mrs. Alvarez?” I asked, rushing forward.
She smiled and swatted my hand away playfully.
“Sit down, sweetheart. I told you, you are no longer a maid in this house.”
I blushed and pulled out a chair.
A moment later, Nico walked in, pushing his father’s wheelchair.
Mr. Santoro was wearing a crisp suit, his silver hair neatly combed. He looked healthy, vibrant, and completely at peace.
“Ah, Rosa’s famous lasagna,” Mr. Santoro said, breathing in the aroma. “Finally, a real meal.”
Nico smiled and helped his father into his chair at the head of the table.
Then Nico turned and looked toward the hallway.
“Thomas,” Nico called out. “Please. Join us.”
My father walked into the dining room.
He was wearing a brand new suit Nico had bought for him that afternoon. The cut above his eye was bandaged, but he stood taller than I had seen him stand in years.
“Mr. Santoro,” my father said respectfully, nodding to the older man.
“Thomas,” Mr. Santoro replied, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you. For everything you did for my wife.”
My father smiled softly and sat down next to me.
Nico took the final seat across from me.
He didn't sit at the head of the table. He sat as an equal.
He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope.
He slid it across the mahogany table toward my father.
“What is this?” my father asked.
“The bearer bonds,” Nico said simply. “Twelve million dollars.”
My father stared at the envelope as if it were on fire.
“Nico, I can't take that. That belongs to your family.”
“No,” Nico corrected gently. “It belongs to the man who sacrificed his entire life to protect my mother’s legacy and raise his daughter in the shadows. My father and I discussed it. Half of the estate is yours, Thomas. You never have to worry about a bill again.”
My father covered his mouth, tears spilling over his cheeks.
I reached out and squeezed his hand.
Nico then turned to Rosa.
He pulled a small, rolled parchment tied with a ribbon from his jacket.
“And this,” Nico said, handing it to the elderly cook, “is the deed to the cottage. It is in your name, Rosa. Free and clear. The roses are yours to tend for the rest of your life.”
Rosa didn't say a word. She just pressed the deed to her chest and wept tears of pure joy.
Nico looked around the table.
He looked at his father, whose dignity had been fully restored.
He looked at Rosa, who was finally safe.
He looked at my father, who had his life back.
And then, he looked at me.
“Victoria told me I needed a younger staff, a more professional house,” Nico said quietly. “But she was wrong.”
He raised his glass of red wine.
“This house doesn't need staff. It needs family.”
We all raised our glasses.
The clinking of the crystal echoed in the warm, bright room.
For the first time in my life, I wasn't worried about tomorrow. I wasn't worried about rent, or hiding, or keeping my head down.
May you like
I was sitting at the table.
And I finally felt like I belonged.
