Chapter 6
Sofia’s hidden voting block led to something older.
I asked my accountant nothing.
I asked Sofia’s former adviser.
A man named Thomas Bell.
He arrived at the estate carrying one sealed envelope.
Not documents.
A letter.
From Sofia to me.
Vittorio,
If you’re reading this before Lucy is old enough to understand it, then somebody has started asking the wrong questions.
I had to stop.
Sofia’s handwriting could still do that to me.
Thomas waited.
I continued.
Lucy inherits my share because I trust you to protect her from people who will eventually call that protection control.
I almost laughed.
Dead eighteen months.
Still correcting me.
The next line was worse.
Bianca Romano has asked me twice what happens to my stake if I die.
I looked up.
“Bianca asked Sofia?”
Thomas nodded.
“Before the engagement.”
My expression hardened.
“How long before?”
“Six months.”
Bianca and I had not even been together then.
“She knew her?”
“Through Marcus.”
Of course.
Marcus.
Always nearby.
The letter continued.
I do not know whether Bianca is dangerous. I know she is interested.
There was a difference.
Sofia understood it.
I had not.
Then the final line:
If anyone ever teaches Lucy that love must be earned through obedience, remove that person from her life before they teach her to confuse fear with family.
I folded the letter.
Thomas looked at me.
“Did that happen?”
I looked toward the garden room.
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes.
I hated the sympathy.
Not because it was wrong.
Because I deserved some of it.
I had placed Bianca close enough to do exactly what Sofia warned me about.
Thomas continued quietly.
“There’s another reason Bianca may care about Lucy.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“Sofia’s shares are not only money.”
“I know.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“They determine who can block a Romano internal vote.”
My expression changed.
“What vote?”
Thomas looked toward the door.
“The one Marcus has been preparing for.”
May you like
And suddenly Bianca’s campaign against Lucy was no longer only about becoming my wife.
Her brother had his own reason to control my daughter.
