I don’t want to blow up La Corona, but I’ve waited too long to reclaim my name. Now that I have the power, I won't waste it.
Don Monti isn't just a title I've inherited. It's a weapon I intend to wield.
Let Dom think what he wants.
The truth is coming, whether La Corona is ready for it or not.
ELENA
Chapter Fourteen
Guilt. It’s becoming a constant knot in my chest. Seven years ago, I made what I thought was the right choice.
Protect my babies. Keep them away from family politics.
Shield them from becoming pawns or targets.
But watching Luca with the children, I know I've robbed them all of something precious.
And yet, I can’t not believe that if I’d told Luca, if he’d come home, that he’d be dead and maybe I and the kids would be too.
Aldo’s hatred for his brother and Antonio Monti was all-consuming.
He was prepared to burn everything related to them down, including me and the kids.
The fact that Luca hasn’t called or dropped by indicates he’s chosen to continue to dig up the past to clear his name.
I can’t blame him, but I can’t see how this will end well.
Not as long as there are those loyal to Uncle Aldo who will finish off his plans if given the opportunity. And if they discover who fathered my children…
I shudder, not wanting to think about my children becoming another casualty of a family war. I have to bear the guilt even as it grows heavier. Even when every moment with Luca makes the lie more impossible to maintain.
I’m glad when I get the call from Gabriella after I drop the kids off at school to meet her and Isabella for lunch.
It's a welcome distraction to think about something other than my world being on the verge of imploding.
I arrive just before lunch with Gabriella handing me a glass of wine. “Relax and enjoy.”
“I hope there’s more of this.” It will take a tanker of wine to help me relax.
She laughs. “Of course. Sabina is with the nanny and Isabella said Leo is with Roman today, so when she gets here, it will just be us ladies.”
I love being a mom, but I have to admit, sometimes, it’s nice to simply relax and enjoy friendship.
When Isabella arrives, we go to the sunroom where lunch is set up. Despite the bitter cold, the day is sunny with a bright blue sky.
“I wonder if it will snow,” I say absently, looking out the window.
“Not today, but I imagine the kids would love it,” Gabriella answers.
“Angelica would,” Isabella agrees.
We all take a seat, and Gabriella’s staff serves a first course of soup along with more wine.
“I think I’m becoming one of those day drinking moms.” Gabriella laughs as she holds up her glass. "To surviving the holidays.”
I clink my glass against hers and then Isabella’s. "To survival."
