Chapter 11 - Vincent Confronts The Man He Was
Vincent visited Emily alone.
She was still hospitalized for observation.
He sat beside her bed.
“I need to apologize.”
Emily looked confused.
“For what?”
“For making you think telling me the truth would create another
disaster.”
She squeezed his hand.
“You were different then.”
“I was still responsible.”
Vincent had spent decades around organized crime before withdrawing and
cooperating with legal efforts that ended his active involvement.
He did not romanticize it.
People had been frightened because he wanted them frightened.
Now his daughter had calculated that fear into her survival decisions.
He told her:
“I will not touch Ryan.”
Emily began crying.
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
“I need you to let the law handle him.”
“I will.”
That promise became one of the hardest Vincent ever kept.
But it was also the first gift Emily truly needed from him.
May you like
Not protection through intimidation.
Protection through restraint.
