Chapter 12 - Nora Refuses Lorenzo’s Offer Of Protection
Lorenzo offered Nora paid leave through the remainder of her pregnancy.
She accepted the leave available under the estate’s revised employment
arrangement.
Then he offered something more.
A private apartment on Moretti property.
A driver.
Full financial support until the baby was born.
Nora declined.
Lorenzo looked surprised.
“I’m trying to make this right.”
“You can’t make Mrs. Gable’s choices right by owning my next six
months.”
The sentence stopped him.
He had inherited his father’s instinct to solve discomfort with
resources.
Nora needed help.
But she wanted choices.
They agreed on documented compensation for workplace violations through
counsel, medical coverage connected to her employment, and lawful leave.
No personal dependency.
No secret favor.
Nora moved in with Nathan temporarily.
Her ankles improved.
Her pregnancy stabilized.
She visited Carlo at a rehabilitation center.
He apologized for never finding her family after Thomas died.
Nora said:
“You were trapped too.”
Carlo shook his head.
“Before I was trapped, I helped build the trap.”
Nora remembered that.
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Accountability did not require pretending harmed people had never harmed
anyone else.
