My phone rang as soon as I got into the cab. It was Sebastian’s mother, Rosalia Moretti.
“I heard what happened. The Moretti family failed you. Why don’t we have a meal and discuss how to make it right?”
I asked the driver to turn around.
When I walked in, I realized Rosalia wasn’t alone. Another woman sat there crying. I recognized her as Camilla’s mother, Angela Laurent.
“Mrs. Moretti, what is this?” I asked, frowning.
Angela clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
“I’ve heard all about Camilla. Giuseppe has served as the family’s consigliere since the last century. We can’t hurt his daughter. You’re a Moretti now. Show a little class and write a letter asking for leniency for Camilla. Giuseppe would appreciate it.”
I gave a cold laugh. “And if I don’t?”
Rosalia regarded me with a faint sneer. “You’re four months pregnant, aren’t you?”
My hand went instinctively to my stomach.
Her expression grew more contemptuous. “If you insist on disgracing this family, don’t expect us to acknowledge your child.”
I laughed. “Is that all?”
Rosalia stiffened. I looked her in the eye. “Perfect. I wasn’t planning to give my child the Moretti name anyway.”
I turned toward the door.
Angela jumped to her feet. “What do you gain by going after my daughter?”
I laughed in disbelief. “I’m not the one who went after your daughter. She went after me.”
“But she’s already paid for it!” Angela was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. “She gave all the money back. You didn’t lose a thing. Why keep doing this? Why won’t you let it go? Are you really going to have my daughter sent to Mexico?”
I turned and fixed her with a cold stare. “You don’t get to decide what I’ve lost. I do.”
Angela raised her voice. “My daughter made a mistake! You’re the Donna. Are you really going to be this petty?”
I smiled coldly. “She needs to learn her lesson. I’m making sure she does.”
“You—!”
Angela collapsed onto the sofa, crying. “You went to the same college! How can you be so cruel? You’ll answer for this one day!”
“That’s between me and God.”
Rosalia slowly curled her fingers into fists. She looked at me with the same contempt she had shown the day I married into the family.
“Do you have any idea what it means to be a Moretti?”
I met her gaze. “Of course. That’s exactly why I’m doing this.”
Her eyes darkened. I was about to leave when the front door opened.
Sebastian stood there, looking around in confusion. “Sofia? Mom? What are you doing here?”
“Your wife seems to have forgotten her place,” Rosalia sneered.
Angela immediately launched into a tearful account of what had happened.
Rosalia turned her icy gaze on her son. “Sebastian, she is no longer fit to be the Donna of this family. Divorce her. Send that Brooklyn girl back where she belongs.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Sebastian paused. “No.”
Angela grew hysterical. “Mr. Moretti, my daughter was your family’s accountant for three years! She may have made mistakes, but she has always been devoted to you!”
“She was afraid this woman was manipulating you. She only wanted to protect you! She meant well! How can you let a few sweet words from this woman turn you against someone who has always been loyal?”
Sebastian’s expression didn’t change. “Mrs. Laurent, this is between my wife and me. Stay out of it.”
Rosalia frowned. “Sebastian, did you not hear me?”
“I heard you.”
“Then why are you still defending her?”
“Because she is still my wife.”
I glanced at him.
Rosalia let out an angry laugh. “Fine. If you insist on protecting this nobody, I’ll give Moretti Holdings to your brother.”
Sebastian’s expression finally stiffened. Rosalia stood.
“By tomorrow, I want proof that you’ve filed for divorce and a signed agreement showing that this woman walks away with nothing. Otherwise, you can kiss your inheritance goodbye.”
Sebastian clenched his fists. Angela followed Rosalia out, shooting me a vicious glare as she passed.
Sebastian and I got into the car. Neither of us spoke for a long time.
Then he asked quietly, “Sofia, what do you want me to choose?”