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In my back office in the casino, I cover my face with my hands. “Oh, Dominic, if only you were here. I could use your guidance now more than ever.”
I reflect on the intricate web of alliances, the delicate dance between loyalty and ambition. Damian, the enigmatic figure with a history entwined with mine, and Marlena, the cunning and betrayed woman seeking retribution. Each presents a unique set of opportunities and dangers.
This choice will alter everything.
For better or for worse.
Now more than ever, I yearn for Dominic’s pragmatic advice, the steadying influence he brought to my turbulent world.
“I miss you, Dominic,” I whisper. “What would you say if you were here?”
The decision looms larger, demanding resolution. The path I choose will shape the course of my empire and the fate of those entangled in its web.
I exit my office and ask Alex to do some digging to see if either Damian or Marlena have made plans to betray me.
In the meantime, I arrive to meet Silhouette at The Velvet Vibe.
As soon as I see her face, I know something’s wrong.
Silhouette immediately hands me a paper. “I’m sorry.”
“What’s this?” I ask, my heart pounding. She hasn’t betrayed me, has she?
“It’s Dominic. He told me about his plan, but he made me promise not to tell you. He wanted me to give you this when I thought you would need it most, and I gather that’s now.”
My hands tremble as I stare at the note that holds the weight of finality, a bittersweet symphony of guidance and farewell. As I read his words, I feel the ache of loss, a mixture of gratitude for his sacrifice and sorrow for the absence of his presence.
“Oh, Dominic...”
I unfold the note, its words penned with the familiar ink of Dominic’s steady hand. My heart pounds as I read his words, a mixture of gratitude and betrayal echoing through the lines.
Dear Vanessa,
I hope this note reaches you in a moment of calm despite the storm that engulfs our world, but I know that probably isn’t likely anytime soon. By now, you must be wondering about everything that happened, the choices I made… I owe you an explanation.
You were always the one with a plan for the future, the strategist who navigated the complexities of our world. I did everything I could to help you, to guide you so that you could have your plans fulfilled, so you could have your future.
You asked me about love, finding someone. I knew I wouldn’t bother to find love. I didn’t have the time.
I have cancer. It’s terminal. Nothing can be done about it.
But I did what I could for you. Saving you from Douglas Anderson was my final act, a sacrifice I chose willingly. I plan on blowing up his bombs to take him out and his men.But this isn’t about the end. It’s about your beginning. Life is unpredictable, and I want you to embrace every moment and make choices with your head, but never forget your heart.
I couldn’t have the life I desired, but you can. Forge alliances and build your empire, but don’t lose sight of the people who matter. Loyalty and love… these are the threads that weave a life worth living.
I guess when you know your time is almost up, you become a poet. That’s a joke. It’s okay to laugh.
Live, Vanessa. Live for me, for yourself, for the possibilities that lie ahead. The shadows may be deep, and we’ve been stuck in them for so long, but I have faith that you will navigate them with the strength that has always defined you.
It’s not about the moments we love but the ones we create. I’m not sure if that’s something I came up with or is a quote I heard or read somewhere but it’s true. Be smart, but don’t forget to follow your heart.
I love you.
Dominic
Oh, and I know you love me too.
My heart aches. Dominic believed in me so much that he was willing to die for me, to die on his terms. His letter is a reminder that even in the darkness, there is room for light and life.
