Page 110 of Legacy
“Because ofhim.”
“No, becauseIfucked up!”
That’s the first time I’ve ever said those words out loud and they are both cathartic and terrifying.
“I hate myself for what I did, what he and I did. I destroyed everything okay? Santo, I fucked up. Ifuckedup and I can’t take it back.”
“And you can’t takethisback either.”
Santo doesn’t flinch as he says it. He stands there, stoic as ever, but I see it. That flicker in his eyes.
For a second, we aren’t men anymore. We’re boys again, and I’m the one telling him that Mom’s missing. He looks the same—haunted,hollow in a way that’s too familiar.
How did I not see it before?
Losing Vasilisa could’ve broken him. Driven him so deep inside himself that all I’d have left wasScythe. And I didn’t stop it.
Vasilisa saved him.
And I’m lucky she’s still alive.
“I hate you,” he repeats, and it hurts just as much as the first time.
His voice shifts. “But I have to thank you too.”
The words knock the breath out of me. Of all the things I expected… this wasn’t it.
My brow furrows. “Thank me?”
Santo’s gaze doesn’t waver. “I know Dad didn’t arrange the marriage. That was you.”
I freeze, every muscle locking into place.
“It may have been to get the position,” he says, eyes narrowing slightly, “but you still gave me her. And she’s…” He pauses, his voice softening, like the weight of admitting it aloud costs him something. “She’s the reason I have a soul.”
I exhale.
“I’m at fault too,” he continues. “I chose Cosa Nostra and my duty to this family over her that day.”
His gaze is sharp. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
Santo steps toward the door. “I’m going home to beg that angel of a woman for forgiveness.”
And with that, he leaves.
I stand there for a long moment after, staring at the empty space he left behind.
One day, he might forgive me.
One day, I’ll tell himeverything.
But not today.
Today, I just watch him walk away and know:
I’m the reason he almost lost it all.
Chapter 22
