Chapter 13
Domenico did not answer immediately.
Camilla stood in front of him without jewelry now.
She had removed the diamonds before returning from the guest suite.
For the first time that day, she looked less like a Valenti socialite and more like a woman exhausted by her own choices.
“What happens to me?”
Domenico’s gaze remained steady.
“You assaulted my daughter.”
Camilla looked down.
“Yes.”
“You helped move family property without asking questions because resentment made you think you were entitled to it.”
“Yes.”
“You defended Marco when you should have questioned him.”
Her throat tightened.
“Yes.”
Domenico waited.
Camilla slowly raised her eyes.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
The word hurt.
She accepted it.
Marco watched from across the room.
His power was collapsing in a different way.
Camilla no longer looked to him before answering.
Domenico removed both of them from all family foundation roles pending formal review.
Marco lost access to accounts, archives and business operations immediately.
Camilla surrendered her committee positions voluntarily.
She also agreed to stay away from Livia unless and until professionals and Domenico determined contact was appropriate.
Marco laughed.
“You're letting him exile you?”
Camilla turned.
“No.”
Her voice was calm now.
“I’m leaving you.”
Marco’s expression changed.
For the first time since the envelope appeared, true fear reached his eyes.
“Camilla.”
She removed the last ring from her hand.
Her wedding band.
She placed it beside him.
“You heard my father calling your name.”
Marco’s breathing stopped.
“And every morning for twelve years, you woke up beside me.”
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came.
Camilla walked away.
Domenico did not stop her.
Marco stared after his wife.
Then looked toward Domenico.
“You think this is punishment?”
Domenico’s expression barely moved.
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“This is only the part I didn't have to do.”
Marco frowned.
Domenico placed a folder on the table.
Inside were the first notices from outside investigators and counsel regarding the warehouse death, destroyed records and financial misconduct.
Marco’s face went pale.
May you like
The family punishment was over.
The consequences outside the family were just beginning.
