Chapter 15
A year later, Sebastian asked to see me.
Not Ada.
Me.
I agreed.
He had aged fast.
Maybe power had been holding his posture upright.
He sat in a normal chair.
That almost amused me.
“You won,” he said.
“No.”
He frowned.
“Then what?”
“The test ended.”
He hated that answer.
“Bellini needs restraint.”
“Yes.”
Surprise.
I agreed.
No leader should operate without challenge.
The mistake was believing restraint must be hereditary and secret.
I had created a new advisory structure.
Rotating members.
No blood requirement.
No permanent seats.
Written scope internally.
Anyone could disagree.
No one could override because of surname alone.
Sebastian laughed.
“A committee.”
“Sometimes boring works.”
He shook his head.
“You’ve made Bellini ordinary.”
“No.”
I leaned forward.
“I’ve made power explain itself.”
That was what he hated.
Then he asked:
“Did Ada forgive Rhea?”
“Not your concern.”
“Gavin?”
“Not your concern.”
“Me?”
I looked at him.
“Ask Ada.”
He never did.
Maybe because he already knew.
Before leaving, he said:
“Your mother would have been proud.”
I stared.
He smiled faintly.
“She was unbearable when right.”
That sounded true.
For the first time, we shared one honest memory without fighting over what it meant.
He left.
No reconciliation.
May you like
No restored influence.
Just an old man walking out of a room that no longer needed him to validate it.
