I read it twice. Then a third time.
The remorse felt genuine. Real. Not the manipulative apology of someone trying to reduce their sentence, but actual accountability.
When Paola woke, I showed her the letter.
She read it silently, her hand resting on her belly where Lucia kicked and rolled.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"I think he sounds like someone trying to change. Whether he'll succeed—" She shrugged. "Time will tell."
"Should I respond?"
"Do you want to?"
I thought about it. About grudges and second chances. About the man I wanted to be for Lucia—someone who believed redemption was possible.
"Yeah. I think I do."
That evening, I wrote back. Brief. Careful. But opening a door I'd previously slammed shut.
Matteo,
Your letter arrived. I'm glad to hear about the progress. Teaching other inmates is good work—keep doing it.
Viktor is in ADX Florence. He'll die there. That chapter is closed.
The baby is due in twelve weeks. We're ready. Nervous, but ready.
Keep doing the work. If you get early release, we'll talk. You can meet the baby. Maybe even be part of this family again.
Maybe.
Prove you mean it.
Cesare
I mailed it before I could second-guess the decision.
Paola found me afterwards, wrapped her arms around me from behind. "That was kind. Giving him hope."
"Or stupid."
"Kind," she insisted. "Lucia should grow up knowing that people can change. That second chances exist."
"Even for people who betray us?"
"Especially for them. Otherwise, what's the point?"
The baby shower happened two weeks later—thirty weeks pregnant, Paola enormous and glowing, our penthouse transformed into a celebration.
Anna and Piero had coordinated everything. Pink and gold decorations. Tables laden with food. Games I didn't understand involving measuring Paola's belly with toilet paper and guessing baby food flavors.
"This is ridiculous," Paola laughed as Anna blindfolded her for some game involving diapers and chocolate.
"This is tradition," Anna countered. "Every baby shower has terrible games."
Giovanni arrived carrying a large wrapped box, his expression nervous.
