Chapter 7 - The Truth Sophia Was Hiding
Sophia disappeared for three days.
During that time, Alexander barely slept.
He contacted private investigators, questioned his employees, and sent people to search every property connected to her.
I watched everything from a distance.
Then, on Thursday evening, Natalie received a message.
A location.
And three words.
She wants Claire.
I went alone.
The address led to a small apartment above a closed bookstore.
Sophia opened the door.
Her hair was messy, and she looked as though she hadn't slept in days.
"Thank you for coming."
"Tell me why you wanted to see me."
She stepped aside.
I entered.
On the table were several documents, a laptop, and a photograph of Vittorio.
Sophia sat down.
"I know you hate me."
"I don't have time for that conversation."
She nodded.
"Fair enough."
Then she removed the Hermès watch from her wrist and placed it on the table.
"I never wanted this."
I looked at it.
"Then why wear it?"
"Because Alexander told me it was a symbol of what we used to have."
I felt a bitter laugh rising in my throat.
"What did you used to have?"
Sophia looked at me.
"We were engaged."
The room seemed to go silent.
"What?"
"Years ago. Before you met him."
I stared at her.
"Alexander never told me that."
"He ended things when his grandfather threatened to cut him off."
"Why?"
"Because my father had been involved in a business scandal. The Morettis didn't want the association."
I folded my arms.
"And now?"
Sophia looked down.
"Now Alexander says he regrets losing me."
I shook my head.
"So you came back to reclaim him?"
"No."
Her voice broke.
"I came back because my father left something behind. Something Vittorio discovered."
She opened the laptop.
A scanned document appeared.
It showed a series of transfers between the foundation and several private companies.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Margaret Moretti.
Sophia explained that her father had worked as an accountant for the Moretti family. Before he died, he had discovered that money intended for charitable projects was being redirected.
"He tried to expose it," she said. "But he was accused of fraud. His reputation was destroyed."
"And you believe Margaret was responsible?"
"I know she was."
She opened another file.
A photograph showed Margaret speaking to a man outside a private hospital.
The date was the night Vittorio died.
I leaned closer.
"Who is that?"
Sophia hesitated.
"The doctor who treated your grandfather."
My heart began pounding.
"Why were they together?"
"Because he changed the medical report."
I stared at her.
"Do you have proof?"
Sophia nodded.
"An audio recording."
Before she could play it, a loud crash came from downstairs.
Sophia jumped to her feet.
Someone was coming up the stairs.
Then her phone rang.
Alexander.
She answered with trembling fingers.
"Hello?"
His voice exploded through the speaker.
"Where are you?"
Sophia looked at me.
"I can't tell you."
"Listen to me. You have something that belongs to my family."
"No, Alexander. I have something that belongs to the truth."
There was a pause.
Then he said quietly:
"Claire is with you, isn't she?"
May you like
Sophia's face went white.
The door handle began turning.
