Chapter 11

I dropped the sketch.

Marco grabbed my hand. "It's over."

I nodded. Just like that, all the hate—this life, the last—gone.

The cops showed up fast.

"Ms. Vanessa Venier, we need your cooperation."

With Marco and our lawyer next to me, I answered everything straight. Even I was surprised how calm I was.

One officer finally asked, "Any thoughts on Dario's death?"

I didn't flinch. "He did it to himself."

Marco never let go of my hand.

Once the cops left, the lawyer adjusted his glasses.

"Mr. Morello, one more thing. With the direct line gone, you inherit the entire Morello estate."

Marco just waved it off. "You handle it."

Three days later, Venier relatives I hadn't seen in a decade showed up.

"This is what your parents left you," one said, all fake smiles. "Whatever happened... you're still part of the Venier bloodline."

I flipped through the numbers. Ten years ago, they said I wasn't worthy of the name. Now, they were using it as an excuse to crawl back.

I signed. "It was