“He tried to appeal last month,” Dante said.

“It was denied.”

“He will remain where he is.”

I nodded, feeling no satisfaction, only a deep sense of closure.

The past was a closed book, locked away in a drawer I never had to open again.

“I want to show you something,” Dante said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch.

He untied the string and tipped the contents into his palm.

It was a simple silver key.

“What is this?” I asked.

“The deed to the land north of here,” he said.

“I bought it under your name.”

“There is a small orchard there, and a stream.”

“It is yours, Alessia.”

“No ties to the family, no ties to the business.”

“A place that belongs only to you and Leo.”

I looked from the key to his face.

“And you?” I asked.

“If you want me there, I will be there,” he said.

“But it is your choice.”

“I want you to have something that was never touched by my world.”

I took the key from his hand, its metal cool against my palm.