Chapter 17 - The Last Trap at the Moretti Gala
Rizzo was convicted on multiple financial and conspiracy charges.
Chicago celebrated.
The Moretti Foundation scheduled its first major event afterward.
Sophia called it the Renewal Gala.
Dante called the name sentimental.
Sophia ignored him.
Six months had passed since the original poster incident.
The exhibition hall looked almost identical.
Same chandeliers.
Same marble.
Same city skyline.
One important difference.
No giant Dante poster.
Sophia noticed immediately.
“You destroyed it.”
Dante adjusted his cuff links.
“I improved the decor.”
“You promised.”
“I promised nothing.”
“It belonged in a museum.”
“It belonged in a fire.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
Dante looked suspiciously pleased.
Guests arrived.
Donations exceeded every previous event.
The Thomas Bennett Transparency Fund officially launched.
Sophia's mother attended.
Dante treated her with such careful respect that Sophia almost cried.
Isabella arrived with Alexander.
Not together.
But not completely apart either.
He had spent months rebuilding trust.
For once, nobody rushed them.
Luca became director of security and compliance.
He said the second title made him sound boring.
Sophia told him boring was underrated.
At ten thirty, the final donor speech concluded.
Sophia stood alone near the windows.
Dante approached.
“You disappeared.”
“I moved twenty feet.”
“Unacceptable.”
“Control issues.”
“Persistent.”
Sophia smiled.
“Good gala.”
“Excellent.”
“You hated the flowers.”
“I survived.”
Music played softly.
Couples danced.
Dante extended his hand.
Sophia stared.
“You dance?”
“No.”
“Excellent beginning.”
“I was informed this is expected.”
“By whom?”
“Your mother.”
Sophia laughed.
She took his hand.
They moved awkwardly at first.
Then easily.
Sophia rested her head near his shoulder.
“You know what tonight needs?”
“No.”
“A poster.”
Dante groaned.
“Never.”
“Maybe a tasteful one.”
“No.”
“Six feet.”
“No.”
“Five?”
“Sophia.”
She laughed.
Then the lights went out.
For one terrifying second, the past returned.
Blackness.
The old gala.
Threats.
Rizzo.
Dante's arms immediately tightened around her.
“Stay with me.”
Emergency lights came on.
Nobody screamed.
Then a spotlight illuminated the opposite wall.
Sophia stared.
A seven-foot poster of Dante appeared.
The original.
Perfectly restored.
The room erupted in laughter and applause.
Sophia turned.
Dante looked innocent.
“You.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about.”
Across the ballroom, Isabella was laughing uncontrollably.
Luca looked away.
Traitors.
Sophia walked toward the poster.
Attached to the printed chest was an envelope.
She opened it.
Inside was a card.
Check it properly this time.
Sophia looked toward Dante.
He stood several feet behind her.
Exactly like that first night.
Arms folded.
But this time he was smiling.
Sophia approached the poster dramatically.
The crowd laughed.
She leaned toward its cheek.
Then stopped.
“No.”
Dante raised an eyebrow.
“Problem?”
Sophia turned toward him.
“I've upgraded.”
She walked across the space.
People began cheering before she reached him.
Dante looked around.
“I regret inviting anyone.”
“Too late.”
Sophia stopped in front of him.
“Was that good enough?” he asked.
The same question.
The beginning of everything.
Sophia smiled.
“No.”
Dante's eyebrow lifted.
“No?”
She shook her head.
“The real one is better.”
He kissed her.
The room applauded.
Sophia laughed against his mouth.
When they separated, Dante whispered:
“You planned this?”
“No.”
“Bella?”
“Obviously.”
“I'll fire her.”
“You can't fire your sister.”
“Watch me.”
Sophia laughed again.
For the first time, darkness had arrived and nothing terrible followed.
No threat.
No betrayal.
Just a joke.
A kiss.
A room full of people who no longer feared what came next.
But Dante still had one surprise Sophia had not discovered.
May you like
And when the gala ended, he took her to the empty exhibition hall where their story had started.
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