The case attracted national attention.
For decades, Vincenzo had presented himself as a philanthropist.
Now investigators were examining the machinery beneath that reputation.
Salvatore cooperated.
He admitted his own role in the old betrayal.
He provided records.
And accepted that doing so could expose him to legal consequences.
Dante watched his father testify.
The old man looked smaller than ever.
But for the first time, Dante felt something close to respect.
Not for the power Salvatore once held.
For the truth he finally chose to tell.
Nora attended the proceedings with an attorney.
She heard testimony about her mother's death.
It was painful.
Sometimes unbearable.
But she remained.
When the evidence was presented, Nora held the photograph of Pietro and Salvatore in her hands.
She thought of her grandfather's sleepless nights.
Her mother's laughter.
The years of fear.
And the silence that had protected powerful men.
At the end of the hearing, Dante found her outside.
She smiled faintly.
“But I think I will be.”
Dante took her hand.
And together, they walked away from the courthouse.
Chapter 11
Nora quit La Cattedrale in early spring.
Not because Dante asked her to.
Because she wanted something different.
For years, she'd worked long shifts.
Counted tips.
Skipped meals.
And measured her life in bills.
Now she wanted to build something of her own.
She enrolled in a culinary management program.
Dante offered to pay.
She refused.
He didn't argue.
Instead, he helped her find scholarships and legitimate small-business resources.
Nora smiled.
“You're learning.”
Dante raised an eyebrow.
“That helping someone doesn't always mean paying for everything.”
He laughed.
“I'm trying.”
Their relationship grew slowly.
They met for coffee.
Walked along the lake.
Talked about books.
Sometimes Dante told her stories about his childhood.
Sometimes Nora taught him old Sicilian phrases Pietro had used.
One evening, she asked:
“Do you ever wish you weren't a Gallo?”
Dante considered.
“Sometimes.”
“And now?”
He smiled.
“Now I want to make the name mean something different.”
“Then start with the truth.”
“I already have.”
Chapter 12