Chapter 5
I waited until we returned to the estate to open Sofia’s drive.
Not because I feared the content.
Because I wanted Livia asleep first.
My daughter deserved one peaceful room in a house full of adults who had failed her.
At midnight, I sat in my office with Rafe.
Camilla.
Marco.
The video opened.
Sofia appeared on-screen.
Alive.
Thirty-three.
Tired.
Beautiful.
My chest hurt instantly.
“Domenico, if you’re seeing this, then I waited too long or somebody forced the truth out.”
Typical Sofia.
No wasted words.
She explained she discovered unusual security incidents during our final year together.
A broken gate.
A threatening car near Livia’s future nursery wing while Sofia was pregnant.
Anonymous warnings.
Minor intrusions.
Nothing ever severe enough to trigger war.
Enough to keep me tense.
Enough to make me increase security.
Enough to make me cancel moving our household away from the main estate.
I remembered all of it.
At the time I believed enemies were probing us.
Sofia discovered something else.
The incidents always benefited one group.
The Second Table.
Every threat strengthened their argument that I needed older relatives controlling security, residences, and family movement.
My jaw tightened.
Then Sofia said:
“I don’t think they want you dead.”
Camilla started crying.
Sofia continued.
“I think they want you dependent.”
That was worse in a quieter way.
She had traced two staged incidents to men paid through a shell controlled by Marco.
He shook his head.
“I never approved danger.”
Sofia’s recording answered as if she heard him.
“Marco will probably tell you he never approved anyone being hurt.”
He closed his eyes.
“He may even be telling the truth.”
Then:
“Do not confuse lack of intended harm with innocence.”
I stopped breathing.
Sofia knew him.
Maybe better than I did.
She had one final warning.
“The Second Table believes fear is useful if it keeps the family together.”
I looked at Camilla.
May you like
Earlier that night she had slapped my three-year-old over a vase because fear told her a secret might come out.
Nothing had changed.
