Chapter 15
Marcus tried to rebuild influence through older capos.
I expected it.
He told them I had become “domesticated.”
Interesting word.
As if listening to my wife made me less capable of command.
One capo brought the complaint directly to me.
I appreciated that.
“What did you tell him?”
The man smiled.
“That I prefer bosses who know what happens in their own kitchens.”
Fair.
I almost laughed.
Marcus’s campaign died quickly.
Not because everyone loved Sofia.
Some did not.
That was fine.
Respect did not require affection.
It required boundaries.
Delia withdrew from public family functions.
Good.
She spent months apparently furious.
Then something changed.
She sent Sofia a letter.
Not me.
No excuses.
One page.
Sofia read it twice.
Then handed it to me.
Delia admitted:
I enjoyed making you feel small because I resented that Raffaele chose you without needing my approval.
I looked at Sofia.
“That’s new.”
She nodded.
No mention of discipline.
No mention of misunderstanding.
No claim that Sofia provoked her.
Just ugly truth.
“Will you answer?”
“Not yet.”
I nodded.
Months earlier, I would have pushed.
See? She understands now.
Forgive her.
Restore family.
Not anymore.
Insight does not create entitlement to reconciliation.
May you like
Delia had finally taken one step.
Sofia decided when—or whether—the next happened.
