Chapter 5 - THE FAMILY DINNER
Six months later, Daniel invited Elena to dinner.
Not at a luxury restaurant.
At a small Italian place.
The same kind of restaurant they had visited before marriage.
Elena smiled.
“I missed this.”
Daniel reached across the table.
“So did I.”
They ate quietly.
For the first time since the attack, Elena felt normal.
Then Daniel said:
“My mother called.”
Elena's expression tightened.
“What does she want?”
“She wants to see you.”
“Why?”
“She says she wants to apologize.”
Elena looked down.
“Do you believe her?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't have to protect me.”
“I know.”
Elena took a breath.
“Okay.”
They agreed to meet.
The next afternoon, Victoria arrived at their apartment.
She looked different.
No designer dress.
No jewelry.
No staff.
Just an older woman wearing a plain coat.
She sat across from Elena.
For several minutes, she said nothing.
Then:
“I was cruel.”
Elena waited.
“I thought your family's money made you dangerous.”
“My family's money saved your family.”
Victoria lowered her head.
“I know.”
“You treated me like an enemy.”
“I know.”
“You tried to humiliate me.”
“I know.”
“You hurt my child.”
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
Silence.
Elena finally spoke.
“I can't forget it.”
“I don't ask you to.”
“But I don't want revenge.”
Victoria looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life carrying what you did.”
Victoria nodded.
“I understand.”
“You should.”
Victoria stood.
“I hope you have a good life.”
“We will.”
She walked toward the door.
Then Elena stopped her.
“Victoria.”
The older woman turned.
“You should know something.”
“What?”
“Your family didn't collapse because we left.”
Victoria waited.
“You collapsed because you built your life on money you didn't earn.”
Victoria looked down.
She knew Elena was right.
She left.
Daniel closed the door.
Elena leaned against him.
“Do you feel better?”
“A little.”
The baby moved beneath her hand.
Daniel smiled.
“She agrees.”
Elena laughed.
For the first time, the future felt peaceful.
But peace wouldn't last.
Because three months later, a lawyer arrived with a package.
Inside was a letter from Victoria.
May you like
And the first sentence changed everything.
I have discovered where the money your family gave us actually went.
