Chapter 12: Lorenzo Finally Told Nora the Truth About Her Father—and She Walked Away From the Man She Loved
Chapter 12: Lorenzo Finally Told Nora the Truth About Her Father—and She Walked Away From the Man She Loved
Nora spent the night in the guest room.
Lorenzo didn't try to stop her.
He understood.
Trust couldn't be demanded.
It had to be earned.
At sunrise, he found her in the garden.
Snow covered the stone path.
She stood alone.
“You shouldn't be here.”
“I know.”
“Why did you come?”
“To tell you everything.”
She turned.
“Then start.”
Lorenzo took a breath.
“Your father came to me when I was twenty.”
“What did he want?”
“He wanted access to my father's records.”
“Why?”
“He believed your mother had hidden evidence inside them.”
“Did you help him?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because my father threatened to kill you.”
Nora's expression changed.
“Me?”
“You were a child.”
Lorenzo's voice broke.
“He knew Daniel would do anything to protect you.”
“So he used me.”
“Yes.”
“And you obeyed.”
“Yes.”
Nora looked away.
“I understand why.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“But I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“You?”
He nodded.
“I was afraid you'd see me as part of the same world that hurt your family.”
Nora's eyes filled with tears.
“Maybe I do.”
He accepted the words.
“I understand.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Lorenzo said:
“There is one more thing.”
Nora looked at him.
“Your father left something with me.”
Her heart stopped.
“What?”
Lorenzo reached inside his jacket.
He removed a small envelope.
“Why didn't you give me this before?”
“Because he told me not to until you were ready.”
She opened it.
Inside was a letter.
Her father's handwriting.
Nora began reading.
He wrote about her mother.
About fear.
About leaving.
About watching Nora from a distance.
And at the end:
If my daughter ever reads this, tell her I never stopped loving her. I only stayed away because I believed distance was the only way to keep her alive.
Nora cried.
Lorenzo stood beside her.
He didn't touch her.
He waited.
Finally, she folded the letter.
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“But you can find him.”
“Yes.”
“Then find him.”
“I will.”
She looked at him.
“And Lorenzo?”
“Yes?”
“I still love you.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“But I don't know if I can trust you yet.”
He nodded.
“Then I'll earn it.”
Behind them, a car approached the estate.
A security guard ran toward them.
“Mr. Moretti!”
Lorenzo turned.
“What?”
“We found Victor Hale.”
“Where?”
The guard handed him a note.
Lorenzo read it.
His face became serious.
“He wants to meet Nora.”
Nora took the note.
There was only one sentence.
Come alone if you want to see your father again.
Nora looked at Lorenzo.
“He has him.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Then we're going.”
Together.
This time, neither would walk away.
May you like
Because whatever waited ahead, they would face it side by side.
And somewhere in New York, Richard Caldwell was preparing his final move.
