Chapter 13 - THE SISTER WHO HAD BEEN RAISED TO HATE HIM
Sofia surrendered three days later.
Not because she suddenly became remorseful.
Because Victor Salvi tried to kill her.
She arrived at Vitali House wounded, exhausted, and carrying a ledger.
Dominic almost had her arrested at the gate.
Emily stopped him.
“Let her talk.”
Sofia looked at Emily.
“Why?”
“Because I want to know why you came near my child.”
Fair.
Sofia sat in the library under armed guard.
For the first time, she looked nothing like Serena.
No perfect makeup.
No silk.
No performance.
Just a frightened woman raised inside a lie.
“Matteo told me Antonio stole my inheritance.”
Dominic said nothing.
“He told me you knew who I was.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know that now.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Victor showed me forged letters.”
“What did he promise?”
“The Bellini trust.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“You were Enzo’s daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know?”
“Only last year.”
“So Victor used that too.”
“Yes.”
Emily asked:
“Did you target Rose?”
Sofia’s face changed.
“I watched her.”
Emily stood.
Dominic touched her arm.
She pulled away.
“Did you plan to hurt my daughter?”
“No.”
“The pickup attempt?”
“Victor.”
“The camera?”
“I installed the piano camera.”
Dominic’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“To watch Marco.”
“Not Rose?”
“No.”
Emily did not trust her.
Neither did Dominic.
But Sofia handed over Victor’s ledger.
Payments.
Orders.
The highway hit on Daniel.
The attempt on Dominic.
The plan to take Rose.
Enough to destroy him.
Then she looked at Dominic.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Antonio knew who you were.”
“My biological father?”
“Yes.”
“He knew Enzo fathered you.”
“And?”
“He chose you anyway.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened.
Sofia continued.
“Matteo hated him for it.”
“Why?”
“Because Antonio planned to leave all legitimate Vitali companies to you.”
“Not bloodline assets.”
“Choice.”
That word mattered.
Antonio had believed family was chosen by responsibility, not biology.
The final page of his journal confirmed it.
Dominic may not carry my blood.
He carries my name because I gave it to him.
Dominic stared at the handwriting.
For twenty years, he had wondered whether Antonio would be ashamed of the man he became.
Now he had an answer.
Then Sofia said:
“Victor is coming.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Why?”
“To finish it.”
“How?”
“He believes Rose is still here.”
Emily went cold.
Dominic had moved Rose that morning.
Only four people knew the location.
Emily.
Dominic.
Luca.
And—
Marco.
Dominic looked toward the door.
Marco stood there.
Pale.
Silent.
His phone in his hand.
Then it rang.
Victor’s name appeared on the screen.
Everyone froze.
May you like
Marco whispered:
“I can explain.”
