Chapter 19 - Every Living Heir
Noah remained in Switzerland while Isabella recovered.
Luca flew there twice each month.
At first Noah spoke to him only about practical things.
Then they played chess.
Then they argued about music.
Then one night Noah sent Luca a message without Isabella prompting him.
That single message meant more to my brother than any restored fortune could have.
Months later, Noah visited Boston.
Little Emma waited at the airport holding a handmade sign.
WELCOME HOME, GRUMPY BROTHER.
Noah laughed so hard he had to put his backpack down.
He hugged her before he realized what he was doing.
Luca turned away to hide his face.
Clara saw him anyway.
Marcus bought a small property in Vermont near the ruins of the red-door house.
He did not rebuild it.
Instead he planted trees around the old foundation.
He said some houses should remain gone because rebuilding them only teaches people to live inside the same walls again.
Victor attended sentencing months later.
He accepted a plea agreement that included prison time and restitution.
Before marshals led him away, he looked at me.
"I spent my whole life trying to keep the throne," he said.
"There was never a throne."
"I know that now."
"Late."
He nodded.
"Very."
Victoria remained missing.
Then six months after Zurich, a package arrived at my office.
Inside was Elena Ward's old Vale access card and a handwritten note.
YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING.
POWER DOESN'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP.
There was no return address.
May you like
I never learned where she went.
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