Chapter 17
Five years passed.
Vincent was five now.
Smart. Funny. Energetic.
He was the light of our lives.
Sophia and I had another child.
A daughter.
Elena.
Named after my mother.
She was three. Beautiful. Sweet.
My parents were in heaven.
They loved being grandparents.
They spoiled the kids rotten.
My father taught Vincent how to play soccer.
My mother taught Elena how to bake.
They were happy.
Retired. At peace.
Moretti & Son was bigger than ever.
We were now a major corporation.
We employed thousands of people.
We had businesses all over the state.
And we were completely legitimate.
No more ties to the old world.
No more violence. No more crime.
Just business. Just community. Just good.
The Moretti name was now one of the most respected names in the state.
People trusted us.
People admired us.
People looked up to us.
I had done it.
I had changed our legacy.
From "The Viper" to something better.
Something honorable.
Something my children could be proud of.
One day, my father called me into his study.
He was getting older now.
His hair was completely gray.
He moved a little slower.
But his eyes were still sharp.
Still strong.
"Son," he said. "I have something for you."
He pulled out a box.
He opened it.
Inside was the same ring he had given me when I was thirteen.
But it was different now.
It had been resized. It fit me perfectly.
And there was something engraved on the inside.
*Honor. Family. Legacy.*
"I had it engraved," my father said. "For you. And for the generations to come. So that they never forget what matters most."
He put it on my finger.
It fit perfectly.
"Thank you, Dad," I said.
My father smiled.
"You've made me the happiest man in the world, son," he said. "I never could have imagined this life. Never could have imagined that my son would turn my dark legacy into something so bright. So beautiful. So good."
He paused.
"I'm ready now," he said. "Ready to rest. Knowing that the family is in good hands. Knowing that our name is respected. Knowing that my grandchildren will grow up in a world where they can be proud of who they are."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I love you, Dad," I said.
"I love you too, son," he said.
He pulled me into a hug.
May you like
And for a moment, everything was perfect.
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