“You drank wine while she counted pennies for bread. You mocked her while she sat on an iron cot in a freezing pantry. You are twenty-five years old, fully educated, and entirely rotten with entitlement.” I looked at the two sheriff’s deputies standing beside the door.
“Deputies, please escort Miss Cleo Valli and Mrs. Cora Valli to the guest wing. They have exactly one hour to remove their personal clothing and belongings from my wife’s home. Any item belonging to Vita—including her jewelry, robes, and perfumes—that is found in their luggage will result in immediate charges for grand larceny.”
“Marc! I am your mother!” Cora wailed, tears destroying her expensive foundation as the deputies approached. “You cannot throw your own mother out onto the street!” “You threw my unborn child and my wife into a storage closet, Cora,” I said coldly.
“You will not be on the street. I have arranged for you to stay at a modest two-bedroom senior apartment in Cobb County. The lease is in your name. Your monthly allowance is hereby reduced to basic utilities and groceries.”
“If you or Cleo ever step foot on this property again, or contact Vita in any capacity, Toto has instructions to file full criminal charges for bank forgery and elder abuse immediately.” Uncle Rob stood up, his face grim with shame.
“Marc… Vita… on behalf of the extended Valli family, we are horrified. We had no idea. We were told you were hosting this breakfast to celebrate your contract.” “I know, Uncle Rob,” I said softly. “You and Aunt Beth are welcome to finish your breakfast.”
“But my mother and sister must leave now.” Ten minutes later, the wailing and protests of Cora and Cleo faded down the circular driveway as a private taxi carried them away with their luggage, watched closely by the sheriff’s deputies. The estate fell into a peaceful, sacred stillness.
I carried Vita in my arms up the grand staircase and laid her gently onto the freshly made bed in our master suite. The staff, weeping with apologies for their previous silence under Cora’s threats, worked tirelessly to restore Vita’s photographs, her books, and her cherished family heirlooms to their rightful places.
