Chapter 7 - THE LETTER FROM LUCA'S FATHER
Two days later, Luca received a call from the estate archivist.
A locked cabinet in his late father's private library had been opened during renovations. Inside was a sealed envelope addressed to Luca.
The handwriting belonged to his father.
Luca stared at it for a long time before opening it.
The letter was dated three months before the accident.
My son,
If you are reading this, something has happened that I could not prevent. I have reason to believe Vittorio is preparing to challenge your place in the family. He has been meeting privately with the trustees and has asked questions about the succession clause.
I have also learned that he has approached Dr. Rusk regarding your medical records. I do not know what he intends, but I do not trust him.
If you are ever told that you cannot have an heir, do not accept the conclusion without independent proof.
Your future is yours. Do not let your uncle take it.
Your father.
Luca read the letter twice.
Then he sat down.
“He knew,” I whispered.
“He suspected.”
“Why didn't he tell you?”
“He may have been trying to find proof.”
Luca turned the page over.
A second sheet had been folded inside. It contained the name of a lawyer and a handwritten note.
Ask about the original trust amendment. The copy in Vittorio's office is not the one I signed.
Luca called his attorney.
Within an hour, they discovered that the trust document currently used by the family had been amended after his father's death. The amendment gave Vittorio temporary control of the voting shares if Luca had no direct heir.
But the original trust, signed by Luca's grandfather, stated that the eldest living Varenna heir would retain control. It did not require proof of infertility. It did not mention a childless marriage.
Someone had added the condition later.
“Can they do that?” I asked.
“Not legally,” Luca replied. “Not without the trustees' consent and my father's authorization.”
“Was it forged?”
“We're having the signature examined.”
He placed the letter on his desk.
“My father knew something was wrong. He died before he could prove it.”
I reached for his hand.
“Then we finish what he started.”
He looked at me.
“You shouldn't have to fight this.”
“I married you to save my mother. I stayed because I love you. And now I'm carrying our child. I'm not going to pretend this is only your problem.”
For the first time in days, his shoulders relaxed.
He kissed my forehead.
“I love you, Evelyn.”
The words were quiet.
They were also the first time he had said them.
I pressed my cheek against his chest.
“I love you, too.”
Then his phone rang.
Marco's voice came through.
“Boss, we found Dr. Rusk.”
“Where?”
“Boston. He came back three days ago.”
“Bring him in.”
May you like
A pause.
“There's a problem. He has already contacted Vittorio.”
