Chapter 4 - The Engagement Dinner
Two nights later, seventy-three guests gathered inside the Moretti estate.
The dinner had been planned months earlier.
Our final formal celebration before the wedding.
Politicians.
Judges.
Developers.
Businessmen.
Family representatives.
People who smiled beautifully while measuring everyone else's weakness.
Celeste wore silver.
Dominic wore black.
Noah wore a tiny navy suit because he refused to wear “itchy pants” unless promised chocolate cake.
Nobody knew why the child was present.
That was intentional.
At 8:15, Dominic raised his glass.
“To the future of two families.”
Everyone lifted their drinks.
I remained seated.
“Before we celebrate the future,” I said, “we should correct the past.”
The room quieted.
Celeste looked at me.
She knew.
Dominic did too.
I stood.
“Noah.”
The boy approached.
I placed one hand on his shoulder.
“This child is not Mara Ellis's biological son.”
Whispers spread through the room.
“He is the son of Elena Moretti.”
My mother's wineglass slipped from her fingers onto the tablecloth.
Dominic went pale.
Celeste closed her eyes.
I continued.
“He is my nephew.”
Noah looked up at me.
“Does that mean you're Uncle Roman?”
A few nervous laughs escaped around the room.
I looked down.
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
He seemed satisfied.
Then Dominic stood.
“This is absurd.”
I turned toward him.
“Sit down.”
“You're humiliating my family based on the fantasies of a dead servant.”
Celeste's face changed.
“Father.”
He ignored her.
“That woman manipulated you.”
“Her name was Mara.”
“She was staff.”
The room became completely silent.
Then Celeste removed her engagement ring.
Dominic stared at her.
“What are you doing?”
She placed the ring on the table.
“Something I should have done years ago.”
“Celeste.”
She turned toward the guests.
“My father knew Elena Moretti was investigating him.”
Dominic's face hardened.
“You have no idea what you're saying.”
“Yes, I do.”
She looked at me.
“I kept copies.”
The perfect alliance cracked in front of everyone.
Not because I threatened anyone.
Not because anyone reached for a weapon.
Because Celeste opened her handbag and removed a flash drive.
“My father has spent six years destroying evidence.”
Dominic whispered her name.
She looked directly at him.
May you like
“But he never found mine.”
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