Chapter 5 - The Woman in Red Made One Mistake
Anthony wasn't the end.
He was only the man who changed the dose.
Vivian had started it.
And when word reached her that Anthony had been arrested, she made one mistake.
She came to me.
Three black cars entered the estate two nights later.
Vivian Moretti stepped out wearing red.
Of course she did.
At forty-six, she still carried herself like every room belonged to her.
She entered my study without waiting for permission.
“You've lost your mind.”
I remained behind my desk.
“Hello, Vivian.”
“You gave prosecutors Anthony.”
“Anthony gave himself to prosecutors.”
“You're reopening something that happened twelve years ago.”
“You mean my poisoning?”
Her face tightened.
“You were never supposed to be permanently injured.”
“So that's your defense?”
“My defense is that I was trying to delay you.”
“With neurotoxins?”
“You wouldn't listen!”
I laughed.
“You wanted me to miss a board vote.”
“Our families were about to lose millions.”
“Your family.”
“Ours, Luca. We were getting married.”
“Not after that night.”
She looked at me with something almost like pain.
“I stayed with you for two years.”
That was the first thing she said that truly angered me.
“You want credit?”
“I washed you. Helped you dress. Sat through rehabilitation.”
“While knowing why I was there.”
Tears appeared in her eyes.
“I didn't know Anthony changed the dosage.”
“But you knew Vale falsified my records.”
“Yes.”
“You watched me travel across three countries looking for answers.”
“I was terrified.”
“You watched me ask doctors whether I'd ever walk.”
“I loved you.”
“No.”
My voice stayed calm.
“You loved the version of me that didn't know what you'd done.”
She looked away.
Then we heard a small voice.
“Luca?”
Maya stood in the doorway.
Elena appeared behind her.
“I told you to stay upstairs.”
“I forgot my glove.”
Vivian looked at Maya.
Then Elena.
Recognition hit.
“You.”
Elena moved in front of her daughter.
Vivian laughed softly.
“You're the pharmacy girl.”
“I'm Elena Harper.”
“I remember.”
“You threatened her?” I asked.
“No.”
Vivian looked at Elena.
“But I know who did.”
“Anthony?”
“His father.”
Dominic stiffened behind me.
“My brother?”
Vivian nodded.
“Anthony told his father Elena had seen too much. His father arranged the threat. Anthony continued it after he died.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
Another piece of rot inside my own family.
Vivian turned back to me.
“What happens now?”
“You testify.”
“Against Anthony?”
“Against everyone.”
“And Vale?”
“Yes.”
“And myself?”
“Yes.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You expect me to destroy my life?”
I looked at my wheelchair.
“You survived destroying mine.”
Silence.
Then Maya walked toward me.
She put her hand on my knee.
Vivian stared.
Maya frowned.
“There.”
I looked down.
“What?”
“Again.”
My thigh contracted.
Visible this time.
Everyone saw it.
Elena gasped.
Vivian stepped backward.
Maya grinned.
“I told you.”
I couldn't speak.
She touched my knee again.
“Try.”
I concentrated.
Nothing.
“Again,” she ordered.
“Maya—”
“You tell me not to quit fractions.”
A laugh escaped me.
“That's different.”
“No, it isn't.”
I concentrated until sweat formed along my neck.
My thigh tightened.
Then my right foot moved.
Less than an inch.
But it moved.
Elena covered her mouth.
Dominic turned away.
And Vivian began crying.
I looked at her.
For twelve years, that woman had known the origin of my suffering.
Yet at that moment, she didn't matter.
I looked at Maya.
“Do it again,” I whispered.
She smiled.
May you like
“Wake up your leg.”
So I tried.
