Page 34 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Life’s what happens in the middle of plans. That’s never truer than now. I don’t believe I have much time left, but I hope to be there to watch you get married. Seeing you with Rocco tonight was food for my soul, and I know for sure that what I did, bringing the two of you together, was right.

I have things to tell you, and it’s difficult because I hurt you in a way that you may find impossible to forgive. We humans are flawed by creation. We are untamed, dangerous creatures capable of the most destructive power and evil in the world. But we are also capable of good, kindness, and innocence. I lived like a tiger, and I’m leaving like a lamb. Thanks to the love of my Aurora, my family, and you, Adelina. You taught me so much about strength and resilience. No matter how much pain you endured, you kept going. I’ve prayed every day that you’ll find it in your heart to understand and accept me for my flaws and to keep the love. I love you dearly, as I do all my grandkids.

Rocco will be a loving husband to you. However, his shortcoming is a lack of understanding of how important it is for you to have children now, rather than later. It was what saved us Marinis time and time again. A prosperous future depends on the sacrifices of the present. I count onyou, Adelina, not just to be his light, but to be his guiding star, his anchor in life’s storms.

Now, put on the video, and we’ll talk one last time.

Love,

Grandpa Luca

I wiped my tears with a cloth from a nearby box, opened the laptop, and slid in the USB drive. Several files appeared—some titled “Thoughts and Musings,” but only one was marked “After Vonnegut.” That was where Luca wanted me to begin.

I clicked the file, and there was Luca, his smile wide as he sat at his desk with a glass of what looks like white wine. He wore the same shirt from our last dinner together, a haunting reminder of our final night. Even with him frozen on the screen, I could see the exhaustion in his eyes and the grayish pallor of his skin. My heart ached, but I pressed play.

“Hello, my dear Adelina. Welcome to Florence.” He lifted his glass in a toast, took a sip, then placed it down on the desk. “You are on your way here with Rocco. I’ve got so much to tell you, and to be honest, I don’t know how much time I have left.” He stopped and took out a handkerchief, dabbing the sweat on his brow and upper lip. “It’s hot today. Lucky you’re coming in the evening; it should be cool by then.” He grinned and wagged a finger. “I know you’re worrying now. But please, don’t worry about me. My doctor said I have the heart of a twenty-year-old.” He let out a dry laugh-cough. “Even if I am sick, I refuse to waste time convalescing. Not when my favorite person is coming to see me. I’m so proud you graduated with honors. Such an outstanding achievement. I love you, my dear.”

My hand shook as I paused the video, heart aching.Oh, Luca.Now I understood why he rushed to arrange our wedding anddemanded that it be quick. He had been afraid he would not live to see it.

“I must tell you now, nothing in your life was an accident,” he said once I pressed play again. “Most of what you’ve been through with your family has been my fault because I helped your father. Call it revenge or passion, but in the end, it was my obsession with Constance. But Aurora was the love of my life, and she taught me to be a better man. I still believe it was mostly love, but I hurt you. I’ve prayed for years for forgiveness and tried my best to atone for all my sins…” He let out a wet cough and covered his mouth with the handkerchief. His shoulders drooped, and he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “It pains me to know how much I hurt you. But please, never doubt my love for you, my dear. And out of love, I’m giving you the Marinis’ best: Rocco.”

He beamed with pride. “Now, our Rocco is a remarkable young man, Adelina. His talents and determination fill me with joy, and I do not doubt that he will continue to make us all proud. He’s…a maverick. God touches men like him to lead and shape our world, and we count on him to continue our stellar legacy. And that depends on you, too, Adelina. You will be his wife. He wants to love you and take care of you. I know that sounds old-fashioned, but please let him.” He paused, took a sip of wine, and stared off as he savored it, then continued.

“Rocco thinks, like any man in his prime, that he has all life ahead of him, and he can conquer it all. I, here at the dusk of my life, know better. Securing the next generation of Marinis must come first. That’s why I redid my will one last time, and the new copy is with you.” He held up the envelope with my name across it, which I had left on the desk. “This is the Marinis’ best, a symbol of our family’s legacy and the responsibility that comes with it. I trust Rocco to carry this legacy forward, just as I trust you, my dear.

“My last will has changed, but it ismine. It means you will never worry about money or security again. However,”—he steepled his fingers under his chin—“it comes with children. Constance’s lineage dies with you. You are the last of her line, and she needs you to keep her heritage, and honestly, she deserves that for all I’ve done.” He dragged a hand through his thick gray hair and bowed his head. “Love and passion can make you crazy. It can be wonderful, too. I hope we get to have a conversation about it.”

My eyes burned.We had that conversation after all, my friend.

He held up his index finger. “Now, for the tricky part. I’ve included a child provision in this new will. It’s not official yet; however, I’m planning an emergency board meeting to present the necessary changes. Marini money supports Marini businesses. If Rocco wants a movie studio, he can raise the money independently. If he’s helping grow the family legacy with children, I’ll make sure he can use that money for his studio. It’s what I had to do, and so did others. Maybe this studio will work out for all of us.” He shrugged with his palms up. “We shall see, but please understand that I’m doing this because I love and admire Rocco. I’m so proud of him. However, to lead, you must show your own forte. He can have it all if he stays at Marini Corporate, or he can go out on his own independently and make his mark. That’s a true leader. That’s the man that would deserve to lead our family.”

I sighed heavily. That was exactly what Rocco had told me Luca expected of him.

“That brings me to you, Adelina. You’ll become our new matriarch. You have children, strengthen our family, and Rocco receives the billions he needs with my blessing because he’s giving our family all it needs to continue our legacy.” He sighed.

“Yes…this is what I truly want, and I can’t rest if I don’t set things right. Marinis have reared great leaders, and so will you and Rocco. You both share strength, creativity, and resilience, great qualities that will guide the next generation. So, on the eve of your marriage, I give youPride and Prejudice. Societal expectations haven’t much changed in our social circles. You’ll have to deal with celebrity, fame, and a multibillion-dollar family trust. You’ve a great responsibility to fulfill, and I know you understand that more than anyone else. You, I know, will rise above what you’ll learn about the past and do what’s right—”

Crash.

My fingers gripped the armrest, knuckles white, as my heart pounded against my chest, waiting for something else to appear on the screen.What’s that noise? Is he all right?Luca looked just as rattled, his gaze now locked on something to his right. I traced his line of sight to the door, spotting a fresh mark on the wall—maybe from the door slamming open.But who had forced their way in?

“What have you done, old man?” a voice shouted.

“Luca, è entrato…”He came in.Magda.

Luca visibly straightened. His eyes narrowed on whoever was off-screen. “Yes, Magda, I’ll take care of it. How dare you barge in here? Get out,” he hissed.

“Not until I find out what you’re going to tell Olivia.”

He was out of the camera’s shot, but I recognized Nico’s voice. However, Luca continued to respond to him. “What makes you think I’m going to tell her anything?”

“You…you’ve been talking to her, and you’re shutting me out of whatever you have planned.”

“What I talk about with my daughter is none of your concern.”

“It is if you plan to tell her—”

Luca crossed his arms. “Tell her what? That you cheated on her?”