THE MAFIA BOSS'S WIFE WALKED OUT WITH HIS UNBORN CHILD

I played the recording again in Evelyn's office.

Then a third time.

Each time, Isabella's accusation sounded more devastating.

Vincent had arranged the accident.

I wanted to reject it. I wanted to believe the recording had been edited, that Isabella had been frightened or confused, that some enemy had manufactured the evidence to destroy my marriage.

But the ledger contained dates, payments, and references to meetings involving Vincent's security company.

Evelyn remained cautious.

"We cannot conclude he ordered a murder from this recording alone."

"She said his name."

"Yes. And we need to establish what she meant."

The investigator began verifying the ledger's entries.

Meanwhile, Vincent's attorney sent a formal letter demanding that I return all company property removed from the mansion.

I had taken nothing except photographs and the recorder, which I immediately placed in Evelyn's custody. The demand felt less like a legal action and more like a warning.

Then Vincent called.

This time, I answered.

"Did you go into my study?" he asked.

His voice was quiet.

"Yes."

"Did you take something?"

"Why? Is there something in that room you're afraid I'll find?"

He went silent.

"Claire, listen to me carefully. My father has people watching you. You need to come somewhere safe."

"I am somewhere safe."

"Not safe enough."

"Then tell me what happened to Isabella."

The silence that followed was different.

Longer.

He finally spoke.

"Where did you hear that name?"

"From a woman who lost her daughter."

"Elena found you?"

"So you know her."

"Claire, you don't understand what you're dealing with."

"Then explain it."

"I can't do that over the phone."

"You have had five years to explain the truth about your life to me. You chose not to."

He exhaled sharply.

"Isabella was going to marry me. She discovered that my father was moving money through companies controlled by rival families. She wanted me to report him."

"Did you?"

"I tried."

The words came slowly, painfully.

"I went to him with the evidence. He told me that if I exposed him, men who depended on the business would die. He said he would make sure Isabella was blamed for everything."

"And the accident?"

"I arrived after it happened."

"Did you arrange it?"

"No."

For the first time, his answer sounded like something other than a command.

"I swear to you, Claire, I did not kill Isabella."

"Did you know your father was involved?"

Vincent didn't answer immediately.

That hesitation destroyed the little hope I had left.

"I suspected," he finally admitted. "I had no proof. And by the time I understood what he had done, the evidence was gone."

"So you protected him."

"I protected my family."

"No, Vincent. You protected your empire."

He said nothing.

I ended the call.

That evening, Sophia appeared outside Evelyn's office.

She looked exhausted. The diamond bracelet was gone.

"I need to talk to you," she said.

Evelyn refused to let her enter until we confirmed she wasn't carrying a recording device or being followed. After a brief security check, Sophia sat across from me.

"I know you hate me."

"I don't have enough energy to hate you."

She flinched.

"I deserve that."

"Did you sleep with my husband?"

"No."

"Did you know he was married when he gave you that bracelet?"

"Of course."

"Then why did you let him humiliate me?"

Sophia looked down at her hands.

"Because I wanted him to choose me."

The honesty surprised me.

"Vincent was the first person who treated me like I was capable of something important. I grew up believing I had to be useful to be loved. When he started trusting me with work, I convinced myself it meant something more."

"So you encouraged him."

"Yes."

"And the hospital?"

Sophia swallowed.

"I was there because his mother asked me to accompany her. She has a heart condition. When she became dizzy, I called Vincent."

"Why were you in the maternity department?"

"Because the cardiology offices are being renovated. The hospital moved several appointments to that wing."

I remembered Vincent's panic when he saw my ultrasound.

"Why didn't you tell me that in the hallway?"

"Because I saw the look on your face, and I realized what I'd done. I was ashamed."

I studied her carefully.

"Why are you here now?"

Sophia reached into her bag and removed a folded document.

"Because Anthony has been using me. He told me that if I helped him separate you from Vincent, he'd protect my younger brother from a criminal investigation."

My stomach tightened.

"Separate us how?"

"He wanted photographs of me and Vincent together. He wanted everyone to believe we were having an affair. He said you would leave, and then Vincent would have no choice but to accept a business marriage arranged by the family."

"Why would Vincent agree to that?"

"Because his father controls half the company."

Sophia slid the document toward me.

It was a bank transfer authorization bearing Anthony's signature.

The recipient was a private account linked to a company that had been dissolved seven years earlier.

The same company appeared in Isabella's ledger.

Before I could ask another question, Sophia's phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and went pale.

"It's my brother."

She answered.

A man's voice shouted so loudly that I heard it from across the desk.

Then the call ended.