Chapter 7 - The Choice
With Victor Rossi behind bars and his criminal network completely dismantled, a strange quiet settled over the city. But for Sebastian Moretti, the real battle was just beginning: the battle with himself.
Federal agents swarmed the city, arresting dozens of syndicate lieutenants based on the evidence Sebastian had anonymously delivered. Yet, Sebastian knew that his own past was far from clean. Even though he had orchestrated the takedown of the city’s worst criminals, the Department of Justice was rapidly turning its attention toward him.
Two days after the docks incident, two FBI special agents walked into Pine Valley Children's Hospital demanding to speak with Sebastian. I met them in the main lobby before they could make it to the elevators.
"Agents," I said, holding up a hand. "This is an ICU floor. You cannot bring badges and guns near critically ill newborns."
"Nurse Sarah," the lead agent, Agent Vance, said sternly. "Sebastian Moretti is a suspect in dozens of federal racketeering charges. We know he’s been spending his time on this floor. We have a warrant for his questioning."
"He isn't hiding, Agent Vance," a smooth voice echoed from behind me.
Sebastian walked out of the administrator’s office, wearing a simple navy sweater and dark jeans—a stark contrast to the tailored suits he used to wear. He looked lighter, as if a crushing weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Mr. Moretti," Vance said, reaching for his handcuffs. "You're coming with us."
"I will come willingly," Sebastian said calmly. "On one condition. You allow me thirty minutes to finish signing my asset dissolution papers with my legal counsel."
Vance frowned. "Dissolution papers?"
"I am liquidating my entire corporate empire," Sebastian explained, looking the agent dead in the eye. "Every legal business I own is being sold, and the proceeds are being placed into a charitable foundation for pediatric medical research and orphan care in this city. I am retiring from public life."
The agents exchanged astonished glances. A crime boss giving up a multi-billion-dollar empire voluntarily was unheard of.
"Why the sudden change of heart, Moretti?" Vance asked suspiciously.
Sebastian turned his head slightly, looking toward the hallway leading to the NICU where Mia was cradling Leo.
"Because I found something worth more than power," Sebastian answered quietly. "I’ll be down in thirty minutes, Agent."
I followed Sebastian back into Pod 3. My heart was breaking. After everything he had done to protect Leo and Mia, it felt deeply unfair that he was going to end up in a prison cell.
"Is there really no other way, Sebastian?" I asked, tears welling in my eyes. "You saved that baby. You saved his mother. You saved this hospital!"
"Justice isn't a bargaining chip, Sarah," Sebastian said gently, taking my hands in his rough, scarred ones. "I did bad things in my past. I built an empire on violence and fear. If I want Leo to grow up in a world where right is right and wrong is wrong, I have to account for my own actions."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, placing it in my hand.
"What's this?" I asked, bewildered.
"Open it."
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Inside was a delicate gold necklace with a small pendant shaped like a lion’s paw. Engraved on the back were three letters: L.M.S.
"Lucia, Mia, Sarah," Sebastian whispered. "The three women who saved my soul. I want you to keep it. And when Leo is old enough to understand, I want you to tell him that his uncle Sebastian tried his best to be a good man."
