CHAPTER 3 – THE FUNERAL OF A LIAR
CHAPTER 3 – THE FUNERAL OF A LIAR
Friday arrived under gray skies.
The boardroom of Moretti Holdings was filled with lawyers, executives, politicians, and family members.
Everyone wore black.
Everyone looked sad.
Most of them were pretending.
At the head of the table sat Veronica Hale.
A widow before the wedding.
A queen before the coronation.
She rose gracefully.
“Thank you all for coming during this difficult time.”
Fake tears glistened in her eyes.
“The doctors have informed us that Dominic's condition is irreversible.”
Several people nodded.
The transfer documents waited on the table.
Millions.
Billions.
An empire.
All one signature away.
Veronica picked up the pen.
Then the doors opened.
Every head turned.
A man entered.
Alive.
Walking slowly.
Bruised.
But alive.
Dominic Moretti.
The room froze.
A lawyer gasped.
Someone dropped a glass.
Anthony looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
Veronica's face lost all color.
“No...” she whispered.
Dominic continued walking until he reached the head of the table.
“You seem disappointed to see me.”
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Dominic tossed a folder onto the table.
Inside were recordings from the hospital.
Video footage.
Financial records.
Transfer documents.
Evidence of conspiracy.
Evidence of attempted murder.
Evidence of betrayal.
Veronica's hands began to shake.
“You can't prove—”
“Play recording seven.”
Paul pressed a button.
Veronica's voice echoed through the room.
“Die before Friday, Dominic. The money moves faster when you stop breathing.”
The silence afterward felt endless.
Anthony collapsed into his chair.
The lawyers stared at Veronica in horror.
Police officers entered moments later.
Dominic had arranged everything.
Veronica looked at him desperately.
“Dominic, please...”
“No.”
Tears finally appeared.
Real ones this time.
“You loved me.”
Dominic nodded.
“Yes.”
For a moment hope flashed across her face.
Then he finished.
“And that's why your betrayal cost more than anyone else's.”
The officers escorted her away.
Anthony followed in handcuffs.
The empire remained standing.
But the illusion was gone.
Hours later, Dominic returned to the hospital to complete his recovery.
He found Grace replacing flowers.
This time she nearly fainted when she saw him standing.
“You're alive!”
Dominic laughed.
“Apparently.”
Grace smiled.
A genuine smile.
Not ambitious.
Not calculating.
Not for profit.
Just happy.
Dominic looked at the lilies.
“They still smell like a funeral pretending to be a wedding.”
Grace blinked.
Then she laughed.
“You heard that?”
“I heard everything.”
For the first time in years, Dominic felt something stronger than power.
Peace.
Months later, Moretti Holdings recovered.
The traitors were gone.
The enemies retreated.
And the man who had faked a coma to discover who loved him learned a final lesson.
The people who speak the loudest about loyalty are often the first to betray.
The ones who quietly change the flowers, straighten the blanket, and pray when nobody is watching...
May you like
are the ones worth trusting.
THE END
