Chapter 8 - THE SIGNATURE THAT BROKE HER HEART
Sophia stared at the document until the letters blurred.
Dante Romano.
The man who had made her feel protected.
The man who had given her room to another woman.
The man whose signature now appeared on an agreement concerning her hidden identity.
"He knew," she whispered.
Daniel looked at the document again.
"Not necessarily."
"His signature is right there."
"We need to verify whether it's genuine."
Sophia stepped away.
"Why does everyone keep protecting him?"
"No one's protecting him."
"Then why was I allowed to live in his house without knowing any of this?"
Daniel didn't answer.
That silence hurt more than a denial.
Sophia walked outside.
Her phone rang.
Dante again.
This time, she answered.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
"Sophia."
His voice sounded different.
Exhausted.
Relieved.
Ashamed.
"Are you safe?"
She looked at the lake.
"Why?"
"Because Isabella's been searching for something connected to your past."
Sophia swallowed.
"Did you know who I was?"
A pause.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't do that."
"Sophia—"
"Did you know I was born Sophia Conti?"
Dante went silent.
She felt her heart sink.
"You did."
"No."
"Then explain your signature."
"What signature?"
"The custody transfer agreement."
Dante's voice sharpened.
"Send me a photograph."
She hesitated, then forwarded the image.
Seconds passed.
When he spoke again, his voice was cold.
"That isn't my signature."
Sophia closed her eyes.
"I don't know what to believe."
"You don't have to believe me. But please don't ignore what I'm about to say."
She gripped the phone.
"Someone used my name to authorize documents I never saw. And now they're trying to use yours."
Sophia turned toward the house.
"Who?"
"I don't know yet."
"Then find out."
"I will."
Dante paused.
"And Sophia?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry about your room."
Her throat tightened.
He continued.
"I made you feel disposable. I don't expect you to forgive me."
Sophia stared across the water.
"Then don't ask."
"I won't."
She ended the call before her voice could break.
Inside the Romano estate, Dante handed the document to Rebecca Sloan.
She examined the signature.
"This isn't a routine forgery."
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever prepared this had access to your private legal signature files."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Only three people had access."
Rebecca nodded.
"Your father. Me. And your former business manager."
Dante stared.
"Marcus Vale."
Rebecca looked up.
"Marcus disappeared six years ago."
Dante opened an encrypted business directory.
Marcus's last registered address appeared.
Then another record surfaced.
A recent payment.
Issued from a Conti-controlled company.
The recipient account belonged to a man using the name Daniel Mercer.
May you like
Dante felt the room turn cold.
The man protecting Sophia had received money from the family hunting her.
