Chapter 12 - Sofia’s Confession
Sofia began visiting Rosewood every Sunday.
She sat at Table 6 and ordered tea.
Sometimes she spoke about Antonio.
Other times, she remained silent.
One afternoon, she brought a wooden box.
Inside were Michael’s childhood drawings.
Buildings.
Bridges.
Train stations.
He had always wanted to study architecture.
The Boston cover had contained part of the life he genuinely wanted.
“I encouraged him to leave Chicago,” Sofia said.
“I told him he could become someone else.”
“Then Salvatore threatened Lucas.”
“Michael returned.”
Hannah looked at the drawings.
“He could have told me.”
“Yes.”
Sofia did not defend him.
“That family taught men that love meant deciding which truth women could survive.”
“I participated.”
“You were threatened.”
“I was.”
“I also watched Michael lie to you and said nothing.”
Hannah looked toward her.
“Did you know he was alive?”
“Not at first.”
“When did you learn?”
“Six months after the funeral.”
The answer hurt.
Sofia had known for eighteen months.
“Why didn’t you tell Lucas?”
“Michael believed Salvatore monitored me.”
“He was right.”
“And me?”
Sofia closed her eyes.
“I believed ignorance kept you safer.”
Hannah laughed without humor.
“Everyone believed that.”
“Yes.”
“That is why I am telling you now without asking forgiveness.”
Sofia opened a hidden compartment beneath the drawings.
Antonio’s letter rested inside.
My sons,
Salvatore will tell Lucas that control is leadership.
He will tell Michael that secrecy is sacrifice.
Both become lies when they remove choice from the people you claim to protect.
The letter had been written days before Antonio’s death.
He knew his brother’s methods.
He had failed to stop them in time.
Hannah read the words again.
Every generation had recognized the pattern after helping it continue.
She wondered whether awareness ever arrived early enough to matter.
Then Kayla called from the counter.
A teenage waitress had found a man unconscious in the alley.
Hannah went outside.
The man carried a port tattoo and a note addressed to Lucas.
May you like
SALVATORE IS IN PRISON.
THE WAR IS NOT OVER.
