Chapter 8 - A New Contract

As they ate breakfast—safe, unpoisoned, and peaceful—Allessandro pulled out a thick folder from his briefcase and laid it on the table.
"What is this, Mr. Romano?" Maria asked nervously.
"This is legal paperwork," Allessandro explained. "During the past few days, I did some research. You have no living family left in the city, Maria. And Emma deserves a future far away from the dark shadows of Federal Hill."
He opened the folder, revealing deeds and trust fund certificates.
"First," Allessandro said, "I have established an educational trust fund in Emma’s name. One million dollars, locked until she turns eighteen. It will pay for any school, any university, any dream she wants to pursue."
Maria gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. Tears pooled in her eyes. "Mr. Romano... no... this is too much! We can never repay this!"
"You already paid for it," Allessandro said softly, looking at Emma. "She saved my life. Money is the least valuable thing I can offer."
He flipped to the next page.
"Second," Allessandro continued, "I have purchased a grand estate near the coast in Newport. Sunshine, gardens, sea breeze. Far away from mob politics and dirty street wars. It comes with a full security team that answers only to me. It is yours, Maria. Fully paid for."
Maria broke down in tears of overwhelming relief and gratitude. "Why are you being so good to us?"
Allessandro paused. He looked down at his silver espresso cup, then at the child sitting beside him who was happily dipping a piece of fresh, clean bread into strawberry jam.
"For fifteen years, I thought everyone in this world was corrupt," Allessandro confessed quietly. "I thought loyalty was just something people traded for cash, and love was just a weak spot to be exploited. I lived in a cage of paranoia."
He looked at Emma.
"This little girl showed me that pure truth still exists. She saved me not because I paid her, but because it was the right thing to do. She gave me back my humanity, Maria."
Emma looked up from her bread, her brown eyes bright. "Does the new house have a garden, Mr. Romano?"
Allessandro smiled warmly. "The biggest garden you've ever seen, Emma. Full of roses."
May you like
"Can Rosie come?" she asked, holding up her worn cloth doll.
"Rosie has her own room," Allessandro chuckled softly.