Chapter ten: The Accusation
713 Words
Matteo's hands were still around Sofia's neck.
His face was lit with anger, and Sofia was shaking, struggling to breathe. She raised one hand weakly, trying to make him stop.
“You slut.”
Matteo's voice was cold with anger.
Sofia had never seen him like this.
She didn't know him well enough to understand his character, but she knew one thing for sure—Matteo De Santis was dangerous.
Finally, he released her.
Sofia dropped to the floor, immediately coughing and trying to catch her breath.
Matteo stared down at her.
“I see you're having fun.”
He reached into his pocket, brought out his phone, and held it toward her.
Sofia looked at the screen.
Her eyes widened.
It was a picture of her and Noah under the rain, standing beneath the umbrella and smiling at each other.
She was shocked.
Confused.
She hadn't kissed Noah.
She hadn't done anything.
So who had taken the picture?
Then it clicked.
Of course.
One of those stupid guards.
Sofia tried to speak, but another cough stopped her.
Matteo's expression remained cold.
“The next time I see something like this, hesitate to cut off your heads.”
He turned and stormed out of the room.
The door slammed behind him.
Sofia remained on the floor, staring at the closed door.
Why was he so angry?
Why did he care so much?
Why did he treat her like a slave?
Then the answer came to her.
Oh, well.
She had been sold off.
To Matteo, she was probably nothing more than something his family had handed over to settle a debt.
Maybe that was why he treated her like she was worthless.
Sofia slowly pushed herself up.
Her breathing was still unsteady.
She walked toward the mirror.
When she looked at her reflection, her eyes immediately filled with tears.
There was a visible mark around her neck.
She touched it carefully.
Her lips trembled.
The tears she'd been trying so hard to hold back finally fell.
She hated this.
She hated her life.
She hated what her parents had done to her.
They had sold her off.
Her own family.
Sofia wiped her tears, but more followed.
She eventually sat on her bed and stared into space.
She didn't know how long she stayed like that.
Then came a knock.
Sofia didn't respond.
Another knock.
“Miss Sofia, dinner is ready.”
It was one of the maids.
Sofia remained silent.
“Miss, you—”
“Get out!”
Her voice came out filled with anger.
The maid immediately fell silent.
Sofia pulled her knees closer to herself.
How could she possibly go downstairs and eat after what had happened?
She couldn't.
The incident kept replaying in her mind.
Matteo didn't care about her.
He cared about his reputation.
He didn't want the newspapers publishing embarrassing headlines about his so-called wife.
And somehow, that made everything even worse.
Matteo's Study
A knock sounded on the study door.
“Come in.”
One of Matteo's trusted guards entered.
“Sir, I've got news about Daphne.”
Matteo looked up.
“Okay? So?”
His voice was cold.
So was his expression.
“She’s back at the warehouse.”
Matteo remained silent for a moment.
“Okay. Do the needful.”
“Yes, Boss.”
The guard turned toward the door.
“And one more thing.”
The guard stopped.
Matteo's eyes hardened.
“No traces.”
The guard nodded.
“Okay, Boss.”
He left the study.
The door closed.
Matteo leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.
Back at the Moretti Mansion
“Really, Simon?”
Simon looked at his wife.
“What now, Rachel? What?”
“I'm sure my daughter is in danger.”
“You don't know that for sure.”
Simon walked toward the table.
He picked up a glass and poured himself a drink.
Rachel watched him.
“I'm worried about her, Simon.”
Her voice softened.
“Really, Rachel?”
Simon snapped.
“You know what that thing did twenty-six years ago.”
Rachel froze.
She didn't say a word.
She wanted to speak.
She wanted to ask him what he meant.
But somehow, the right words wouldn't come out.
And Simon said nothing more.
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