My mafia boss husband had just admitted that someone in our house ordered my mother's murder. -

Chapter 10 – THE FOUNDATION OF LOVE

The metal drawer slid open with a soft hum.

Inside was a single, thick manila envelope and a small velvet box.

My hands shook as I reached in and pulled them out.

I opened the envelope first. Inside was a stack of legal documents and a bank statement. I scanned the first page, and tears immediately blurred my vision.

It was a trust fund.

Set up fifteen years ago, in my name, with a starting balance that had grown significantly through safe, quiet investments over the years.

There was a handwritten letter clipped to the front.

My dearest Evelyn,

If you are reading this, it means you finally found the courage to leave Vincent. I always knew who he was. I knew the danger he posed to you and my beautiful grandson. For years, I quietly skimmed from the allowance he gave me, saving every penny I could to build an escape hatch for you.

I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you from him while I was alive. But I promise to protect you now.

Use this to build your dream. Build our bakery. Raise Anthony in the light.

I love you, forever.Mom.

A sob ripped through my chest. The sound echoed in the quiet vault.

Even in death, she had been catching me. She had known the day would come when I would need to run, and she had built the foundation for our new life stone by stone.

I wiped my eyes and picked up the small velvet box.

I popped it open.

Inside was a beautiful, vintage diamond ring. It wasn’t the flashy, cold diamond Vincent had given me. It was my grandmother’s ring. The one my mother wore until the day she died.

I slipped it onto my right hand. It fit perfectly.

When I walked out of the vault facility and into the bright Seattle afternoon, the air felt lighter. The world felt wider. I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was truly living.

I drove back to the bakery, eager to show Anthony the letter.

But as I pulled up to the storefront, I noticed a sleek black town car parked at the curb.

My heart instantly dropped to my stomach.

I ran inside, pushing the door open violently. “Anthony!”

“Mom, it’s okay!” Anthony said quickly, stepping out from behind the counter. He looked unharmed.

Standing in the center of our small bakery was a man in a sharp grey suit.

He turned around slowly.

It was Dominic.

He looked older, his hair completely grey, the scar from the gunshot wound on his shoulder still visible through the fabric of his suit.

“Hello, Evelyn,” Dominic said softly.

I grabbed a rolling pin from the counter, stepping in front of Anthony. “How did you find us? You’re supposed to be in federal prison!”

Dominic held up his hands in surrender. “I made a deal with the feds, Evelyn. I gave them the rest of the syndicate in exchange for a reduced sentence. I got out last week.”

“Then leave,” I demanded. “We have nothing to do with that life anymore.”

Dominic nodded slowly. “I know. And I’m not here to bring you back. I’m here to give you something.”

He reached into his jacket. I tightened my grip on the rolling pin, but he only pulled out a folded piece of paper.

He placed it gently on the pastry counter and slid it toward me.

“Vincent’s final trial starts next month,” Dominic said. “He thinks he has a loophole. He thinks he can use Claire to testify that the ledger was forged.”

I stared at the paper. “What is this?”

Dominic looked me directly in the eyes.

“It’s his signed confession.”