Chapter 10

Victor was different.
He had no role to demote.
His power came from family proximity.
So I ended automatic access.
No private dining room.
No unannounced visits.
No introductions on Castellano behalf.
He called it childish.
I called it measurable.
“You’re punishing Sofia through me.”
That angered me.
“No.”
I looked at him.
“You used her unfinished idea to authorize yourself.”
He flinched.
That was the truth.
Sofia’s draft went into my private archive with a note explaining exactly what it had been:
A proposal.
Never presented.
Never approved.
May you like
Never governing anything.
Dead people deserve context too.