Chapter 8 - The Truth Comes OutThe investigation lasted weeks.
Victor was charged.
The shell companies were exposed.
Moretti Group survived, but Dominic ordered an internal restructuring.
Every executive involved was removed.
Every employee whose records had been altered was contacted.
Every dollar that could be recovered was returned.
The newspapers called it the biggest scandal in the company's history.
But Dominic refused most interviews.
He had something more important to do.
He wanted Lily to know the truth.
One Saturday morning, he took her to the old Moretti house.
Evelyn came too.
They stood in the library beneath Anthony Moretti's portrait.
Lily looked up.
“Is that your dad?”
“Yes.”
“Was he bad?”
Dominic thought carefully.
“No.”
Evelyn looked at him.
Dominic continued.
“He made bad choices.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes adults are afraid.”
Lily considered that.
“Were you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Of what?”
“Losing you.”
Lily reached for his hand.
“You didn't.”
Dominic smiled.
“No.”
Then he showed her the photograph of her as a newborn.
Lily touched it.
“That's me?”
“Yes.”
“And that's Mom?”
“Yes.”
“And that's you?”
Dominic nodded.
“You look weird.”
Evelyn laughed.
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you.”
Lily giggled.
It was an ordinary moment.
And Dominic realized ordinary moments were the most valuable things he had ever owned.
Later that afternoon, Evelyn stood beside him on the porch.
“You don't have to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Stay.”
Dominic looked at her.
“I should have stayed eighteen years ago.”
“You didn't know.”
“I should have asked questions.”
“So should I.”
They stood silently.
Then Dominic said:
“I want to know Lily.”
Evelyn smiled.
“She wants to know you too.”
“I want to know you.”
Evelyn looked away.
“That might take longer.”
“I can wait.”
For the first time, Evelyn smiled without sadness.
“Then maybe we start with dinner.”
Dominic nodded.
“Dinner.”
Inside, Lily shouted:
“Daddy!”
Dominic turned.
May you like
The word no longer felt like a wound.
It felt like home.
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