Chapter 10 - The Dinner He Planned Was Interrupted by the Person I Trusted Least
Alessio chose a small restaurant by the river.
No chandeliers. No photographers.
Just candlelight and a table near the window.
I wore the blue dress I'd bought with my first paycheck.
It wasn't expensive.
He told me I looked beautiful before I sat down.
I almost argued.
Then I remembered how often I had helped other people insult me.
“Thank you,” I said instead.
He smiled.
We spoke about ordinary things.
His childhood dog. My mother's terrible singing. The way my father used to fix broken radios and leave the screws in coffee cups.
For an hour, I forgot the ledger.
Then Livia appeared beside our table.
Her mascara was smudged.
“Bella, please.”
I stiffened.
Alessio motioned for her to sit.
She remained standing.
“Marco contacted me,” she said.
“Where is he?” Alessio asked.
“He wants the ledger.”
“He won't get it.”
“He says he'll tell everyone I helped him.”
I stared at her.
“You did help him.”
“I thought he was protecting our family.”
“From what?”
She looked down.
“From losing the company.”
My voice shook.
“You knew about my father's complaint.”
“Yes.”
“And you still made me feel worthless.”
She began crying.
I had spent years comforting Livia whenever her choices hurt someone else.
I did not move.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
“Then tell the investigators everything.”
Her eyes darted toward the window.
“It's too late.”
Outside, a dark sedan stopped at the curb.
Two men stepped out.
Alessio's security detail moved toward them.
Livia seized my wrist.
“He knows where Sofia is hiding.”
Alessio immediately called his security chief.
I heard only half the conversation.
May you like
But his expression told me enough.
Sofia had disappeared from the safe apartment that morning.
Related Stories
