After My Fiancé Abandoned Me I Married My Stepbrother Chapter 07
From that day on, Vincent’s position inside the Moretti family began to shake.
When I received the news, I was checking accounts in my office in Gray Harbor.
The butler placed the file on my desk.
“The Moretti family is unstable. Don Damian asks whether you wish to see Vincent.”
I did not look up.
“No.”
“If he continues coming to Gray Harbor?”
I signed the last page of the accounts.
“Handle it according to Gray Harbor’s rules.”
Three years later, I saw Vincent again at a family conference in New York.
I attended on behalf of the Vitale family.
Damian stood beside me.
The Moretti family was there as well.
Over the past three years, their businesses in Gray Harbor and New York had not gone smoothly.
Several important transport routes were blocked by the Vitale family.
A number of shell companies they used for laundering money had been taken over one after another.
They had come this time to renegotiate the transport routes.
The old Don Moretti held a glass of wine and spoke first.
“Serafina, three years have passed. I did not expect you to refuse even to return and see your father.”
Damian set down his glass.
The base of the glass touched the table lightly, yet the room quieted at once.
I lifted my eyes.
“Tonight is for business. We can discuss private matters later.”
The old Don’s smile stiffened.
The elders behind him exchanged glances, but none dared to speak first.
Except Vincent’s mother.
She wore a dark gown and a string of pearls around her neck. When she spoke, she still carried the habit of giving orders.
“Serafina,” she said, “you left the family for three years. Have you forgotten even basic respect when you see your elders?”
I lifted my glass and laughed softly.
“No wonder the Moretti family’s business has declined in recent years.”
“At a business meeting, you still refuse to discuss business and keep dragging personal feelings into it.”
“It’s almost funny.”
Someone nearby laughed under their breath.
The faces of the Moretti family darkened together.
The lawyer behind Damian placed a document on the table.
It was a copy of the marriage alliance agreement from back then.
The section for transport route delivery was blank.
The Vitale representative opened the file, his voice calm.
“According to the agreement, the Moretti family should have delivered three transport routes.”
“Three years have passed. Not one has been handed over.”
The banquet hall fell silent again.
The old Don Moretti’s hand froze beside his wine glass.
Damian did not look at him.
“If you want to discuss business with me tonight, then settle this agreement first.”
Vincent was also in the crowd.
He was much quieter than he had been three years ago.
When he saw me, his fingers tightened.
Isabella was no longer beside him.
I heard the Moretti family ultimately never allowed her to become Donna.
She had worn Vincent’s ring, but she never received a formal engagement.
Halfway through the meeting, I walked onto the terrace for air.
Vincent followed me out.
“Serafina.”
I turned to look at him.
“Mr. Moretti.”
“Must you call me that?”
“We are only people from two different families now,” I said. “This is the most appropriate way.”
Vincent was silent for a long time before he spoke.
“These past three years, I went to Gray Harbor many times. Damian’s people would not let me see you.”
“Because I did not want to see you.”
“I know I was wrong,” he said. “Back then, I should not have chosen Isabella. I should not have assumed you would always wait for me.”
Hearing those words, I felt only impatience.
Old matters no longer held my heart.
“Mr. Moretti, no one lives in the past forever. You should look forward.”