Chapter 18 - THE SENTENCEVictor received fifteen years.
Not twelve.
Not life.
Fifteen.
His cooperation had saved thousands of documents and helped identify dozens of criminals.
But the court refused to excuse his years of willful blindness.
Victor accepted the sentence.
At the hearing, he spoke directly to Ethan.
"I spent my life believing fear made people honest."
He looked at the courtroom.
"It only made them quiet."
He turned toward Lily.
"I built a world where people were afraid to tell me the truth."
His voice broke.
"My son deserved better."
Lily cried silently.
Ethan did not understand the words.
But he understood the sound of his father's voice.
"Da."
Victor looked up.
The courtroom disappeared.
For one moment, there was no mafia.
No court.
No empire.
Only a father and his son.
The judge granted Lily temporary guardianship.
Then permanent guardianship.
Ethan would remain with her.
Victor retained parental rights.
He would call every Sunday.
He would watch Ethan grow through a screen.
It wasn't perfect.
May you like
But it was a future.
And after everything they had survived, a future was enough.
