died, he made some changes to his will. His private attorney made sure that Don Micky Vitali received a legal copy, according to the late Don’s business notes. The will requested that Matteo Romano receive the seat as head of the family. He would be declared sole owner of all of the Romanos’ legal business establishments and all assets including the family home and various estates,” Don Mazilli adds to the conversation.
“Correct,” Matteo takes over again. “Isabella and Cristian each have a sizable inheritance that would last them a lifetime with the proper management but no property and no business holdings unless they establish those businesses themselves.”
“That’s very harsh,” Adam says.
“Pietro,” she starts and for a second, stops to consider if she should refer to him as her father. She decides against it. “Pietro loved them so much. He doted on them for as long as I can remember. How could he cut them out like that?”
“That, I do know,” Matteo says. “He did love them very much, which was quite a shock when I learned of his final wishes. I wasn’t hoping for anything from him. I was doing fine and am quite content with what I have. In fact, I find the seat too much a burden.”
“There was one stipulation,” Don Mazzilli convenes again. “In order for Isabella and Cristian to come into their inheritance, Matteo must find a suitable husband for Isabella. She would need to marry and live with her husband. Otherwise, Matteo would be responsible for providing for them until…well, the rest of their lives.”
“Don’t get it wrong. I would not have minded if it came to that. But, I assumed that my brother made the stipulation once he realized he’d been wrong in the way he’d raised his children. I thought Pietro wanted to remove the silver spoon from their mouths so to speak. I assumed my brother wanted them to be able to build on their own.”
“And that’s not the case?” Adam asks this time.
Matteo nods sadly.
“You owe it to them both to speak the truth,” Don Mazzilli urges.
“It wasn’t the case,” Matteo replies solemnly. “While I was going through my brother’s files and books, I came across a folder. It contained photos and demand letters.”
“Did…was that why you rushed off the estate in the middle of the night?” she asks, remembering the last time Matteo was on the estate. This happened the night they’d returned from the dinner at the Kings’ estate that first time.
He nods. “The photographs were of a young…Isabella. And Cristian.” Matteo looks down at his shoes. “Together.”
A pin can be heard dropping somewhere, maybe in her stomach, during the stretched-out silence.
“Are you saying—” Adam begins to ask.
Matteo immediately shoots up a hand to stop the words from spilling into the room. She wasn’t sure if she could bear to hear it either. It’s…no…it can’t be true. It’s just…no way! She shakes her head to try the clear the thoughts away.
“I was never close to them. I was barely in their lives. I don’t know how long this was going on or when it started. But the photographs placed them in their late teens. Maybe after high school. There were some also in their early twenties,” Matteo says.
“Oh my God,” is all she can say.
She knew they were close but never…that never crossed her mind and she’d lived onsite.
“I know it’s…it’s extremely hard to swallow,” Matteo says, finally meeting her eyes. “I can only imagine the indescribable shock my brother might have been hit with when he discovered their…relationship.”
“Do you know who sent the photographs?” Adam asks.
She feels his clammy palm on top of her hand grow firmer. Steadying her. Reminding her that he’s right next to her.
“I’ve been trying to find out. I hired tracers and private investigators outside of the circle with no luck. I can only assume that my brother handled that person or persons.” Matteo looks firmly at Adam before he continues speaking again.
“It was not my intention to deceive you. I apologize. But I truly did not know what to do. It became clear that my brother’s wishes and his stipulation were aimed at separating the two siblings. I think Pietro assumed that separating them would end things and force Cristian to stand on his own. And Isa, once married would take her husband’s name and move on. It would leave the Romano name unsullied as is.”
“Oh, God,” she whispers again as her stomach rumbles.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Pietro Romano could have prevented all of this,” Ariana