Chapter 19 - He Didn't Choose a Throne
Dirty contracts surfaced.
Hospital deals were canceled.
Pension funds were reviewed.
Federal cases expanded.
Some Moretti businesses closed.
The legal ones survived under outside oversight.
Adrian resigned from two boards and kept one operating role with independent controls.
The five women changed too.
Vanessa testified against her father's political network.
Celeste took control of Russo Maritime after her father stepped aside.
Mara turned her files over to federal investigators and rebuilt the foundation's compliance system.
Bianca opened the Serrano books to auditors and discovered her family was cleaner than she feared and dirtier than she hoped.
Evelyn Sterling lost access to her father's fortune, then started her own investment firm with three employees and no private jet.
As for me, I went back to work.
Dr. Rice helped me find a patient-navigation job at an oncology nonprofit.
I knew the language now.
Appeals.
Coverage exceptions.
Drug assistance.
Transportation grants.
All the things that had once made me feel powerless became things I could explain to other families.
Adrian offered to pay off Mom's medical debt.
I said no.
He asked once more.
I said no again.
Then he asked what would actually help.
"Fund the nonprofit's emergency medication program anonymously."
"Anonymously?"
"Painful, isn't it?"
He smiled.
"Extremely."
He did it anyway.
Three months after the gala, we finally had our first real date.
Adrian ate fries like a man discovering carbohydrates.
I asked, "So what happened to the five women who wanted you?"
"Four threaten me by text. One sends invoices."
"Which one?"
"Celeste. She says I owe her for warehouse legal fees."
I laughed.
Then he became serious.
"Liya, that night at the gala, I said if I ever chose someone, she'd have to choose me back."
"I remember."
"I'm not asking for marriage."
"Good."
"I'm asking if I can keep showing up."
I looked at him across a sticky diner table.
"You can try."
His smile was quieter than the one he wore in ballrooms.
I liked it better.
Then my phone rang.
Mom.
I answered.
She said, "Liya, don't panic."
I immediately panicked.
Then she laughed.
"My latest scan is better than the last one. Dr. Rice says we're moving in the right direction."
I closed my eyes.
May you like
Adrian reached across the table.
This time, I took his hand.
