Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Raised Vincent Left One More Truth

Two months passed.

The trust collateral was released.

The thirty-one percent of Bellini Marine returned to Vincent.

He did not keep it immediately.

His attorneys placed it in escrow while investigators reviewed the old transactions.

Thomas gave a full statement.

Samuel Voss gave one too.

Anna stayed in the city.

Not with Vincent.

Nearby.

They met twice a week.

Coffee.

Dinner.

Long walks.

Some meetings ended well.

Some did not.

That was better than pretending.

One afternoon, Henry called.

"I found something."

Vincent sighed.

"Please tell me it's a fishing license."

"No."

"Of course."

Henry came to the estate carrying a small metal tin.

Julia Bellini's name was written on it.

Vincent went still.

The woman who raised him.

The woman he had called Mom.

Henry said:

"Your father gave this to me before the island."

"Why?"

"He said if he never returned, I should keep it until Anna came back."

Vincent looked at Anna.

She shook her head.

"I've never seen it."

Inside:

Photographs.

A hospital bracelet.

And one letter from Julia.

To Vincent.

He opened it.

MY SON.

His eyes filled immediately.

Julia had written:

I DID NOT GIVE BIRTH TO YOU.

BUT I WAS THERE FOR YOUR FIRST FEVER.

YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

YOUR FIRST BROKEN ARM.

YOUR FIRST LIE ABOUT WHO BROKE THE KITCHEN WINDOW.

Vincent laughed softly.

Anna smiled through tears.

Julia continued:

I LEARNED ABOUT ANNA TOO LATE.

I WAS AFRAID TO TELL MICHAEL BECAUSE I THOUGHT TRUTH WOULD TAKE MY FAMILY AWAY.

THAT FEAR MADE ME PART OF THE LIE.

Vincent stopped.

Anna looked down.

Julia wrote:

WHEN I FINALLY TOLD HIM, HE DID NOT LEAVE ME.

THAT WAS MY PUNISHMENT AND MY GIFT.

HE STAYED BECAUSE I WAS DYING.

AND I HAD TO LIVE MY LAST WEEKS KNOWING I HAD KEPT A MOTHER FROM HER CHILD.

Vincent closed his eyes.

Then read the final paragraph.

IF YOU EVER MEET ANNA, DO NOT THINK LOVING HER BETRAYS ME.

A CHILD DOES NOT OWE ONE MOTHER LESS LOVE BECAUSE HE FINDS ANOTHER.

I RAISED YOU.

SHE LOST YOU.

WE BOTH LOVED YOU.

PLEASE DO NOT TURN THAT LOVE INTO ANOTHER WAR.

Vincent lowered the letter.

Anna was crying openly.

He looked at her.

"Did you hate her?"

Anna thought.

"At first."

"Later?"

"I envied her."

Vincent nodded.

"That's honest."

Anna smiled sadly.

"She got your childhood."

"Yes."

"And I got your father's regret."

Vincent looked at Julia's photographs.

One showed him at seven.

Missing front tooth.

Holding a fish.

Julia beside him.

Vincent smiled.

Then another.

Michael in the background.

Looking happy.

For once, the past was not evidence.

Just family.

Henry said:

"There's one more thing."

Vincent looked at him.

"Of course there is."

The old captain smiled.

A second letter.

Not addressed to Vincent.

To Anna.

Anna froze.

She opened it.

Julia's handwriting.

ANNA.

IF YOU EVER READ THIS, THEN MICHAEL FOUND YOU.

Anna covered her mouth.

Julia continued:

I AM SORRY.

NOT FOR LOVING VINCENT.

I WILL NEVER BE SORRY FOR THAT.

I AM SORRY I LET FEAR CONVINCE ME THERE WAS ONLY ROOM FOR ONE MOTHER.

Anna stopped reading.

Vincent looked away.

She continued silently.

Then handed him the final lines.

PLEASE GO HOME BEFORE HE IS TOO OLD TO NEED YOU.

Anna laughed through tears.

"I didn't."

Vincent read it again.

"No."

She looked at him.

"I failed her too."

Vincent folded the letter.

Then said:

"You came now."

Anna stared.

He continued:

"Late is not the same as never."

That evening, Rebecca arrived unexpectedly.

No red gown.

No ring.

She carried a folder.

Vincent frowned.

"What now?"

She almost smiled.

"Good news, for once."

Inside:

Signed transfer documents.

Every remaining Morel trust interest in Bellini Marine relinquished.

No conditions.

No repayment.

No marriage clause.

Vincent stared.

"You did this."

"Yes."

"Your father agreed?"

"No."

"Then how?"

"The trust was mine after I turned thirty."

Vincent looked at her.

"You could have done this before."

"Yes."

"Why didn't you?"

Rebecca did not hide.

"Because I was afraid."

He nodded.

Then she continued:

"I'm not asking you to take me back."

"Why are you here?"

"Because this should have been yours before I ever wore your ring."

She put the folder down.

Then left.

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Vincent did not stop her.

But he watched her walk all the way to the door.