Sophia left the estate that day. While guards packed her luggage, she sat motionless at the foot of the stairs, clutching the sash from her white gown.
Several older family members came to speak up for her. One spoke of her father's loyalty. Another said a young woman had made a foolish mistake and there was no need to let outsiders hear about the family's shame.
Luca set the public photo on the conference table.
"When you all called her Mrs. Moretti, none of you thought it needed to be kept private."
The room went silent.
The next day, every family representative who'd attended the betrothal ceremony received a correction notice. Luca acknowledged that he'd made an inappropriate declaration of status without adequately verifying the threats. Sophia wasn't his wife and had no authorit
