Chapter 8 - THE FATHER'S WILL
The flashing red and blue lights of the police cruisers strobed through the tall dining room windows.
Adrian stared at the sealed envelope in his aunt’s hands.
“What is that, Sophia?” Adrian asked, his voice rough.
“It’s Dominic’s final addendum to his will,” Sophia explained, walking over and handing it to him. “He gave it to me the day before he died. He made me swear not to open it until the threat against Elena’s child was completely eliminated.”
Vanessa let out a bitter, mocking laugh from where she was tied to a chair. “Let me guess. He left the whole empire to the maid?”
“Shut your mouth,” I snapped at her, my voice carrying the weight of four decades of authority. Vanessa flinched and fell silent.
Adrian broke the wax seal on the envelope. He pulled out a single sheet of heavy parchment paper, his eyes scanning his father’s familiar handwriting.
As he read, the tension in his shoulders slowly dissolved. He let out a long, shuddering breath.
“He knew,” Adrian whispered, looking up at me. “My father knew Lily was working here.”
I stared at him in shock. “He did?”
Adrian nodded, handing the paper to me. “Read the second paragraph.”
I adjusted my reading glasses and looked at the document.
‘Frank Sullivan believes he failed me by leaving his post. He does not know that by protecting my granddaughter, he succeeded in his true mission. I arranged for Lily to be hired at the estate so she could be protected under my roof. Frank is to be given his medal, his pension, and my eternal gratitude.’
Tears blurred my vision. Dominic hadn't blamed me. He had orchestrated the whole thing to keep Lily close, right under the noses of the people trying to hurt her.
Adrian turned to Lily. He held out the silver bracelet, the intricate roses catching the flashing police lights from outside.
“My father’s will splits the Moretti estate and legitimate businesses equally between me and my sister’s heir,” Adrian told her. “You aren't a maid, Lily. You’re family.”
Lily stared at the bracelet, then looked at the black-and-white uniform she was wearing.
“I don't know how to be a Moretti,” she admitted, her voice small. “I only know how to clean this house.”
“You don't have to be a Moretti,” Adrian smiled gently, fastening the silver clasp around her wrist himself. “You just have to be Lily. I’ll teach you the rest.”
Heavy boots echoed in the foyer. The grand double doors swung open, and a dozen armed police officers flooded the dining room, led by a stern-faced detective.
Arthur Bennett stepped forward, handing the detective the leather pocket watch containing the audio confession.
“Officers,” Adrian announced, gesturing to Vanessa and the unconscious Michael Russo. “These two have a lot to answer for.”
As the police hauled a screaming Vanessa and a bleeding Michael out into the night, the stifling tension in the mansion finally broke.
The guests, murmuring in shock and relief, were slowly escorted out by the authorities to give their statements.
Soon, the grand dining room was empty, save for me, Adrian, Sophia, and Lily.
I looked down at the white tablecloth. My commemorative medal still sat there, exactly where I had abandoned it an hour ago.
I let out a tired sigh and turned to Adrian.
“I should go pack my things, sir,” I said, feeling my age in every joint of my body.
Adrian frowned. “Pack your things? Where are you going?”
“I’m retiring, Adrian,” I said softly. “The threat is gone. Lily is safe. My watch is over.”
Adrian walked over to the table and picked up the gold medal. He held it in his hand, looking at the inscription.
“Your watch as a bodyguard is over, Frank,” Adrian agreed.
May you like
He stepped toward me and pinned the medal firmly back onto my suit jacket, right over my heart.
“But your time as family is just beginning,” Adrian said. “And we still need you here.”
