Chapter 2
Sophia had screenshots.
Dozens.
Not threats.
That would have been easier.
They were messages from Bianca that began almost politely.
Gregory says you didn’t approve the floral upgrade. No worries. I know not everyone has the same standards.
Another:
I heard you thought the photographer package was excessive. It’s my wedding, Sophia. You don’t need to punish me because your father likes me.
Another:
Gregory said you called the gown budget embarrassing. I’m trying not to take it personally.
Sophia had replied only twice.
The first time:
I don’t control your wedding budget. Talk to Gregory.
The second:
I have never discussed your gown with anyone.
Bianca responded:
Sure.
Raffaele read every exchange at Sophia’s hospital bedside the next morning.
“Why didn’t you send these to me?”
Sophia looked tired.
“Because you were already paying for too much of the wedding.”
Raffaele frowned.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything somehow became about money.”
Gregory had worked with Carbone-controlled hospitality companies for twelve years.
Not a made man.
Not family by blood.
But trusted.
He managed vendor relationships, private events, and several luxury properties in which Raffaele’s legitimate holding company had investments.
When Gregory became engaged to Bianca, Raffaele offered the Carbone estate for the wedding and covered several major event expenses as a gesture of loyalty.
Sophia, who oversaw parts of the family office, handled approvals while winding down work before maternity leave.
“I approved exactly what you authorized,” Sophia said.
“Did you reject things?”
“Some upgrades.”
“Why?”
“Because Gregory kept submitting revised invoices without explanations.”
Raffaele’s expression changed.
“What kind of revisions?”
“Flowers doubling. Rentals tripling. Guest transportation that somehow became eighty thousand dollars. Custom favors at nearly two grand per table.”
“Did you tell Bianca?”
“No.”
“Gregory?”
“Every time.”
Claire, sitting near the window, looked up.
“And what did he say?”
“That Bianca was demanding it.”
Sophia folded her hands over her stomach.
“But Bianca’s messages always made it sound like I was personally taking things away from her.”
Raffaele remembered the reception.
Cheap little girls don’t belong in my wedding photos.
Gregory stepping in immediately.
Control your family or leave my wedding.
He had not asked why Bianca cut Emma’s dress.
He had already framed the Carbones as the problem.
Claire requested wedding planning records.
The planner cooperated.
Her emails produced a contradiction within hours.
Bianca had repeatedly told the planner:
Gregory says Sophia capped us again.
Gregory had repeatedly told Sophia:
Bianca insists on this.
Two women believed the other was responsible for every financial fight.
Gregory stood between them.
Then Claire found the invoice for Emma’s dress.
Bellweather Atelier had originally billed it directly to Gregory’s wedding account.
Three weeks earlier, Gregory ordered the invoice moved to Sophia’s family-office cost center.
Why?
No explanation.
That same afternoon, Bianca sent Gregory a message:
I cannot believe Sophia is putting that child in a bargain dress after everything we spent.
Gregory replied:
Don’t let her humiliate you on your wedding day.
Raffaele stared at the screen.
The dress had never been a bargain dress.
May you like
Gregory knew that.
And Bianca’s rage had been built around a lie he could have corrected with one sentence.
