Chapter 13 - The Inheritance Nobody Wanted
The document was not another secret ownership agreement.
It was a trust.
Daniel had created it before his death.
Money intended for Nora’s education, home and future children.
It had never reached her because the trustee disappeared after Daniel’s murder.
The amount had grown substantially.
Nora stared at the figure.
“I spent three months eating instant noodles in college.”
Nico wisely did not laugh.
The trust gave Nora something more valuable than money.
Freedom.
For the first time, she had resources completely independent of the Bellandis.
She used part of it to expand the foundation.
She saved the rest for Daniel.
Then she returned to Belladonna.
Viviana had transformed Table One.
No velvet rope.
No special treatment.
Just another table.
“You did it,” Nora said.
“I became temporarily democratic.”
“I'm proud.”
“Stop.”
Their friendship had become family.
Luca eventually joined the foundation as financial investigator.
Vittorio stepped away from business entirely.
He visited Daniel every Sunday.
Nora watched carefully at first.
Then less carefully.
Vittorio was surprisingly good with babies.
Perhaps redemption began with small things.
Not absolution.
Responsibility.
One year after Nora walked toward Table One carrying a crystal pitcher, Belladonna hosted the foundation’s first annual benefit.
Nora wore deep blue.
Viviana wore black.
Nico wore the same charcoal suit he had worn that night.
Nora noticed.
“Sentimental?”
“Budget cuts.”
“You're terrible at jokes.”
“I've been told.”
Daniel toddled between tables under the supervision of three adults who were collectively incapable of controlling him.
Nora watched Nico chase their son.
The sight filled something inside her she had spent years pretending wasn't empty.
Then a reporter approached.
“Ms. Ellis, are you and Mr. Bellandi engaged?”
Nora smiled.
“No.”
Nico overheard.
He placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
The reporter laughed.
Nora continued.
“We're together because we choose to be. That's enough.”
Later, after the guests left, Nico found her at Table One.
He placed something on the table.
Not a ring.
A crystal pitcher.
Nora stared.
“You kept that?”
“I bought it from the previous owner.”
“Why?”
“It ruined my life.”
She laughed.
“It improved mine.”
He took her hand.
“Can I ask again?”
Nora knew exactly what he meant.
She looked around the restaurant where everything had started.
“Yes.”
“I haven't asked yet.”
“Yes anyway.”
For once Nico Bellandi looked completely speechless.
Then he laughed.
He pulled a small ring box from his pocket.
Nora held up a finger.
“One condition.”
“Anything.”
“No arranged weddings.”
“Agreed.”
“No security team at the altar.”
“Two.”
“Nico.”
“One.”
“Nico.”
“Fine.”
She smiled.
“Ask.”
He knelt.
This time she didn't threaten to leave.
“Nora Ellis, will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
Applause erupted.
Nora spun around.
Viviana, Luca, Vittorio, Marco’s former employees, hospital nurses and half the Belladonna staff were hiding behind the partition.
Nora stared at Nico.
“You planned an audience?”
“I was told women like witnesses.”
“By whom?”
Everyone pointed at Viviana.
Viviana shrugged.
“I was bored.”
Nora laughed until she cried.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
For one terrible second, the old fear returned.
She opened the message.
It contained a photograph.
A man leaving federal prison.
Dr. Samuel Ward.
Released pending testimony in another case.
May you like
Under the photograph were four words.
HE NEVER TOLD EVERYTHING.
