Chapter 8 - The Family's Last Secret
Alexander entered before either of us could react.
Two security men followed him.
His eyes immediately went to the laptop.
"Give me the files."
Sophia stood between him and the table.
"No."
"Move."
"You said you loved me."
His expression tightened.
"Not now."
She laughed through her tears.
"That's what you always said. Not now. Not in front of Claire. Not while Grandfather was alive. Not while Mother was watching."
I looked at Alexander.
"Is she telling the truth?"
He didn't answer.
Sophia picked up the watch.
"You gave me this because you wanted me to believe you were choosing me again. But you weren't choosing me. You were using me."
Alexander took a step forward.
"Stop talking."
"No. I'm done protecting you."
She pressed a key on the laptop.
A recording began playing.
Margaret's voice filled the room.
"Your father should have understood what happens when someone threatens this family."
Then another voice.
The doctor.
"He was already unstable. I can't change the report without consequences."
Margaret replied:
"Your hospital received a substantial donation last year. Surely we can reach an understanding."
The recording ended.
Alexander looked stunned.
I turned toward him.
"Did you know?"
He rubbed his forehead.
"I knew my mother had spoken to the doctor. I didn't know she had threatened him."
"Did you know the report was changed?"
He didn't answer.
Sophia stepped forward.
"Tell her."
Alexander finally looked at me.
"Grandfather's collapse was real. But Mother delayed calling the ambulance."
My chest tightened.
"How long?"
"Seven minutes."
Seven minutes.
A lifetime when someone is dying.
"Why?"
"She wanted him to sign the revised trust documents. He refused. They argued. He collapsed."
"And you covered it up?"
His eyes filled.
"I was trying to protect the family."
I stared at him.
"You were protecting your mother."
He lowered his head.
Then Sophia spoke again.
"There's something else."
She opened another document.
It was an original agreement signed by Vittorio.
The agreement transferred controlling authority over the foundation to me if financial misconduct was discovered.
I read the final paragraph.
My name appeared clearly.
Claire Bennett Moretti.
Margaret had spent years trying to keep me away from the foundation because she knew what Vittorio intended.
Alexander reached for the paper.
I pulled it away.
"Don't."
He looked at me.
"Claire, please. We can handle this privately."
"Privately?"
I laughed without humor.
"You used charity money to buy gifts for another woman. You concealed your mother's actions. You allowed your grandfather's final wishes to be buried."
He looked devastated.
Then his phone rang again.
This time, it was his mother.
He answered.
Margaret's voice came through.
"Alexander, I know where Sophia is. Bring the documents to the estate immediately."
He looked at me.
Then Margaret continued:
"And bring Claire. It's time she learned who her real enemy is."
The call ended.
Sophia whispered:
"She knows about the second recording."
I turned toward her.
"What second recording?"
May you like
Sophia looked terrified.
"The one your grandfather made the night before he died."
