Chapter 12 - The Evidence Was Finally Public, but My Cousin Wanted One Last Lie
The investigation moved faster after Sofia's rescue.
An independent forensic accountant confirmed the payments recorded in the ledger.
The old safety complaint was recovered from an archived municipal database.
Marco was arrested after attempting to cross the state line.
Vittorio, who had retired to Florida, was questioned and later charged in connection with the industrial fraud and obstruction allegations.
I watched the news from my apartment.
The reporters spoke about corporate misconduct and corruption.
They said Antonio Romano's name.
Hearing it made me cry.
Not because it fixed the past.
Because the past was finally being described accurately.
Livia called that evening.
“Can we talk?”
We met in a quiet cafe.
She arrived without makeup.
For once, she did not try to look impressive.
“I told the investigators what I knew,” she said.
“Good.”
“I might lose everything.”
I looked at her.
“You've been saying that to me for years.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“That I had nothing. That nobody would choose me. That I should be grateful whenever you included me.”
Her eyes filled.
“I was cruel.”
“Yes.”
“I was jealous.”
“Of what?”
“You were kind without making people owe you.”
I didn't know what to say.
She reached for my hand.
I moved it gently away.
“I hope you become someone better, Livia.”
“Can you forgive me?”
“Maybe someday.”
I stood.
“But forgiveness doesn't mean you get the old version of me back.”
Outside, the wind lifted my coat.
I walked toward the subway feeling strangely light.
May you like
I had not won an argument.
I had finally stopped asking permission to exist.
