THE MORETTI WIFE: THE PROMISE HE BROKE, THE SECRET SHE KEPT

The ride to the Moretti family estate was painfully quiet.

I sat in the back of my car while my assistant, Natalie Brooks, reviewed the schedule for the memorial.

My phone vibrated.

Alexander.

I watched his name appear twice before answering.

"Where are you?"

"On my way."

"Claire, I don't appreciate what you did at the office."

I looked out the window. "Which part?"

"Don't play games. You deliberately humiliated Sophia."

"Did I?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about."

I let out a quiet breath.

"Alexander, I gave your employees gifts. I didn't give one to Sophia. That's hardly a crime."

"You brought up the watch in front of everyone."

"Would you have preferred I discussed it privately again? Like the last three times?"

Silence.

Then he said, "We'll discuss this after the memorial."

"No. We won't."

I ended the call.

Natalie glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"Are you all right, Mrs. Moretti?"

"I'm fine."

But I wasn't.

I had spent seven years making excuses for a man who never seemed to need to make any for himself.

When we arrived, black luxury vehicles lined the driveway. Members of the Moretti family had gathered beneath the stone columns of the estate.

Alexander was already there.

Sophia stood beside him.

She had changed clothes, but the Hermès watch remained on her wrist.

I stepped out of my car.

Alexander approached immediately.

"Claire, we need to talk."

"Not here."

"Then stop making everything difficult."

I looked past him at Sophia.

"Is she attending the family memorial?"

His jaw tightened.

"She knew my grandfather. He considered her family."

"Interesting. I was his granddaughter-in-law for seven years, yet somehow I'm the one being treated like an outsider."

Before he could respond, an older woman approached.

Margaret Moretti, Alexander's mother.

"Claire, darling."

She kissed the air beside my cheek.

Then she turned toward Sophia.

"Sweetheart, you look exhausted. Did you sleep at all?"

Sophia shook her head.

"I was worried about today."

Margaret touched her arm affectionately.

I stood there, watching the performance.

Alexander's mother had never liked me. My family had too much influence, too much money, and too little interest in obeying the Moretti family's traditions.

She had once told Alexander that marrying me was like bringing another king into his kingdom.

Apparently, she preferred a woman who would happily remain a queen's servant.

The memorial began.

Alexander sat beside me, but his attention kept drifting toward Sophia.

When the priest spoke about loyalty, family, and the promises we made to the people we loved, I almost laughed.

Then the family lawyer approached.

"Before we conclude, Mr. Moretti requested that I read a final statement from his grandfather."

Alexander straightened.

His grandfather, Vittorio Moretti, had been the only member of the family who treated me as an equal.

The lawyer opened a leather folder.

"Mr. Vittorio Moretti left specific instructions regarding the future ownership of the family's charitable foundation and several private investments."

Alexander looked confident.

Until the lawyer continued.

"His final instruction was that these matters be reviewed jointly by his grandson, Alexander Moretti, and his wife, Claire Bennett Moretti."

Alexander frowned.

"Jointly?"

"Yes, sir."

The lawyer turned a page.

"Mr. Vittorio specifically stated that his granddaughter-in-law possessed qualities of judgment and integrity that he considered essential to protecting his legacy."

Every face turned toward me.

Margaret's expression hardened.

Then the lawyer added something that made Alexander stop breathing.

"There is also a sealed letter addressed personally to Mrs. Moretti. Mr. Vittorio instructed that it be delivered only if she and Alexander remained married on the anniversary of his death."

I accepted the envelope.

My name was written across it in his unmistakable handwriting.

Alexander reached for it.

"What does it say?"

I held it against my chest.

"I haven't opened it."

"Then we should read it together."

I looked at him.

"Why? Are you suddenly interested in what your grandfather wanted to tell me?"

His expression darkened.

The memorial continued, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

As guests began leaving, the lawyer quietly approached me.