Chapter 12
Ethan began therapy.
Not because Daniel believed something was wrong with him.
Because the boy had become afraid of transitions.
School pickup.
Sleepovers.
Cars.
Any adult saying plans had changed.
The first time Adriano saw him again was not at the estate.
Daniel chose a therapist-approved family center.
Sadie came with Adriano.
The cousins ran toward each other.
Then Ethan stopped halfway.
Sadie stopped too.
“What?”
Ethan looked toward Adriano.
Then toward Daniel.
“Am I allowed?”
Daniel’s face broke.
“Yes.”
The children hugged.
Adriano turned away for a moment.
Nobody commented.
Afterward, the children played a board game while the fathers sat across the room.
Daniel spoke quietly.
“I hate that he asked permission to hug his cousin.”
“So do I.”
“He thinks adults can change his whole life without telling him.”
Adriano nodded.
“He almost learned that lesson.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You know what the worst part is?”
“What?”
“I was actually considering Seattle because I thought a fresh start would help him.”
“That isn’t wrong.”
“I know.”
“But now if I move, part of me feels like Bernadette wins because she gets to say I took him away.”
Adriano answered immediately.
“Don’t make your decision around Bernadette.”
Daniel stared at him.
“That’s surprisingly healthy.”
“I have counsel.”
Daniel almost smiled.
It was the first moment between them that did not feel like a negotiation.
Adriano also corrected every false record.
School.
Medical office.
Estate access.
Emergency contacts.
He signed sworn statements confirming he had never been Ethan’s guardian and had never authorized anyone to represent him as such.
Daniel was given complete copies.
No Costa-controlled archive.
No “trust us.”
Paperwork Daniel owned himself.
Adriano also ended a family-office practice that allowed senior relatives to request documents concerning children without a parent’s direct authorization.
One older relative complained.
May you like
Adriano asked whether he wanted his own child’s passport removed from his home by an aunt.
The complaint ended.
