Chapter 7 - The Price of Saving Charlotte
Marco's father was alive.
Samuel Russo had supposedly died after a stroke eight years earlier.
Instead, he had disappeared.
Thomas explained why.
Samuel had managed sensitive matters for Adrian's father.
When DeLuca Holdings began transitioning toward legitimate business, Samuel feared losing the influence he'd accumulated.
So he manipulated both brothers.
Adrian and Victor.
He redirected money.
Altered messages.
Created suspicion.
And when Adrian began asking questions, Samuel arranged the intimidation that ultimately killed Elena.
Victor had spent years believing Adrian blamed him.
Adrian had spent years believing Victor was responsible.
Their conflict protected Samuel.
“You turned us against each other,” Adrian said.
Samuel leaned on his cane.
“I preserved what your father built.”
“You destroyed my sister.”
“That was never intended.”
Adrian moved forward.
Charlotte saw something dangerous in his face.
She got out of the car.
“Adrian.”
He stopped.
Samuel noticed her.
“So that's Charlotte.”
Adrian immediately moved between them.
Samuel smiled.
“Remarkable what one impulsive kiss can change.”
“Don't speak to her.”
Samuel's smile faded.
“There he is. Your father's temper.”
Charlotte stepped beside Adrian.
Not behind him.
Samuel noticed that too.
Police sirens suddenly sounded in the distance.
Samuel turned toward Thomas.
“You called them?”
Thomas nodded.
“This ends tonight.”
Samuel laughed.
“You think those records are enough?”
“No,” Charlotte said.
Everyone looked at her.
She held up her phone.
“But your confession might be.”
Samuel's face changed.
Charlotte had been recording since leaving the car.
Marco almost smiled.
Adrian looked at her with astonishment.
Samuel stepped toward her.
Adrian blocked him.
“Don't.”
One word.
Samuel stopped.
Not because Adrian threatened him.
Because the police lights were already entering the pier.
Everything moved quickly after that.
Samuel was detained.
Daniel surrendered.
Thomas handed over years of records.
Sofia went with Adrian.
Victor arrived before dawn accompanied by attorneys.
When he and Adrian saw each other, the silence between them carried five years of hatred.
Victor looked at Sofia.
Then at Adrian.
“Elena had a daughter?”
“Yes.”
Victor closed his eyes.
“My granddaughter.”
Sofia didn't approach him.
Not yet.
Victor looked at Adrian.
“I didn't kill Elena.”
“I know.”
“I hated you for accusing me.”
“I hated you because I believed it.”
Neither apologized immediately.
Too much history stood between them.
But something had changed.
The lie dividing them was gone.
Later, Charlotte stood near the water.
Adrian joined her.
“You recorded everything.”
“Yes.”
“That was reckless.”
“You like me reckless.”
“I absolutely do not.”
She smiled.
“You absolutely do.”
He looked at her.
Then his expression became serious.
“This isn't over for you.”
Charlotte's smile faded.
“Samuel knows your name. Others may know you helped me.”
“What are you saying?”
“You should leave.”
Her heart tightened.
“Leave where?”
“The city. Temporarily. I'll pay for anything you need.”
Charlotte stared.
“You're sending me away?”
“I'm protecting you.”
“Those aren't always the same thing.”
“They are tonight.”
“What about us?”
Adrian's expression revealed the answer before he spoke.
“There can't be an us.”
Charlotte felt as though he'd struck her.
“Interesting.”
“Charlotte—”
“No. Keep going.”
“You deserve a life where black cars don't appear outside your work.”
“And you decided that for me?”
“I won't let you become another person who dies because of my name.”
There it was.
Elena.
Not Charlotte.
He wasn't pushing her away because he didn't care.
He was doing it because he cared too much.
That didn't make it hurt less.
Charlotte nodded calmly.
“Okay.”
Adrian looked surprised.
“Okay?”
“You want me gone. I'll go.”
“That's not what I—”
“You said there can't be an us.”
His silence answered.
Charlotte walked away.
She didn't look back.
Three days later, Bellamy's reopened.
Charlotte returned to work.
No black cars.
No mysterious strangers.
No Adrian.
She told herself that was good.
Safe.
Normal.
It felt terrible.
At midnight, the bell over the diner door rang.
Charlotte looked up hopefully.
Not Adrian.
Victor DeLuca entered.
He sat at the counter.
“Coffee.”
Charlotte poured it.
“You're not who I expected.”
“Apparently that's common in your family.”
Victor almost smiled.
“My nephew is an idiot.”
“That also appears common.”
“He thinks distance keeps people safe.”
“He made his choice.”
Victor stirred his coffee.
“No. He made fear sound like a choice.”
Charlotte looked at him.
Victor placed an envelope on the counter.
“Elena left more than evidence.”
Charlotte didn't touch it.
“What is that?”
“A letter addressed to Adrian.”
“Give it to him.”
“I did.”
“Then why do you have it?”
“This is a copy.”
Charlotte frowned.
Victor stood.
“Read the last paragraph.”
Then he left.
Charlotte opened the envelope.
Elena's words were simple.
If something happens to me, don't turn grief into a wall, Adrian. The people who love you cannot live if you spend your life deciding for them what risks they're allowed to take.
Charlotte read it twice.
Then the diner lights went out.
Every light.
The room became dark.
Charlotte reached for her phone.
The kitchen door opened.
Footsteps approached.
A familiar male voice said her name.
“Charlotte.”
May you like
She turned.
But the man walking toward her wasn't Adrian.
