Chapter 10 - The Photograph That Nearly Destroyed Her
Dante wanted to cancel the wedding again.
This time Isabella listened.
Not because of fear.
Because Sophia showed her the dates.
Payments to Rizzo-connected companies began four weeks after Isabella met Alexander Vale.
Access breaches appeared two months later.
Several leaks occurred while Alexander was present at the estate.
Isabella sat silently.
“That doesn't prove anything.”
“No,” Sophia said carefully.
“It doesn't.”
Dante stood beside the fireplace.
“He undergoes another background check.”
Isabella's eyes flashed.
“Without accusing him.”
“Bella—”
“Without accusing him.”
Dante nodded.
The investigation took six hours.
Alexander Vale existed.
But not exactly.
His consulting company was real.
His education was real.
His finances were clean.
Then Luca found something.
Alexander's mother.
Her maiden name was Rizzo.
Vincent Rizzo was her uncle.
The room became silent.
Isabella stood.
“No.”
Dante moved toward her.
She backed away.
“Don't.”
“Bella.”
“He told me his mother had no family.”
Sophia's heart broke for her.
Isabella's phone rang.
Alexander.
Everyone stared at it.
She answered.
“Where are you?”
His voice came through the speaker.
“At the hotel.”
“Come to the estate.”
A pause.
“Why?”
“Because I need you.”
Another pause.
“I'll be there soon.”
He never came.
Instead, ten minutes later, news stations received a package.
Photographs.
Financial documents.
Private Moretti records.
And one image that dominated everything else.
Sophia standing beside Dante at the lake house.
In the photograph, Dante's hand rested at her waist.
The angle made the scene intimate.
The accompanying story claimed Sophia had seduced Dante to gain access to foundation accounts her father had supposedly stolen from decades earlier.
Absolute fiction.
But it was believable enough to spread.
Sponsors began calling.
Two board members resigned.
A major donor suspended funding.
Sophia watched the foundation collapse in real time.
“This is because of me.”
Dante turned.
“No.”
“My name is in every headline.”
“Because someone put it there.”
“I should resign.”
“No.”
“It would protect the foundation.”
“It would reward them.”
Sophia stepped closer.
“You can't solve everything by refusing to move.”
“And you can't solve everything by sacrificing yourself.”
Their voices rose.
Isabella silently left the room.
Sophia lowered hers.
“They're attacking children’s programs, scholarships, shelters because they can connect them to me.”
Dante looked furious.
“Then I'll replace every dollar personally.”
“That doesn't fix credibility.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Let me leave.”
“No.”
“Dante.”
“No.”
She stared at him.
“You don't own me.”
His expression changed instantly.
Sophia wished she could take the words back.
Dante stepped away.
“You're right.”
The anger disappeared.
That hurt worse.
“You have never needed my permission.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
“That's not what I meant.”
“It is what you said.”
“I’m scared.”
“So am I.”
Her eyes opened.
Dante Moretti admitting fear should not have been possible.
But there it was.
“I don't know how to protect this without losing you,” he said.
Sophia's anger broke.
She crossed the space between them.
His hands settled at her waist.
Neither spoke.
Then Sophia whispered, “I'm still mad at you.”
“I assumed.”
“And you’re controlling.”
“I know.”
“And impossible.”
“Frequently.”
She almost smiled.
His eyes dropped to her lips.
Sophia's pulse raced.
“This is probably a terrible idea.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She kissed him.
Not a poster.
Not an accident.
Dante Moretti.
For one second, he remained perfectly still.
Then his hand moved to the back of her neck and he kissed her back.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Nothing like the cold man Chicago imagined.
When they separated, Sophia stared at him.
“Well.”
Dante's mouth curved.
“Better?”
She laughed softly.
“Much.”
A phone vibrated.
Neither moved.
It vibrated again.
Finally Dante answered.
Luca's voice was urgent.
“We found Alexander.”
“Where?”
“He's with Rizzo.”
Sophia's smile disappeared.
“And?”
Luca paused.
“Alexander says Isabella was never the target.”
Dante's grip tightened around the phone.
“Who was?”
Another pause.
“You.”
Dante looked toward Sophia.
Luca continued.
May you like
“And whatever they planned happens tomorrow at the wedding.”
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