Chapter 2 - The Signature
Twenty minutes earlier, the Russo party had looked perfect.
String lights glowed above the courtyard.
A jazz trio played beside the fountain.
Caterers carried champagne between three generations of wealthy Russo relatives.
Elena had hated every second of it.
Not because of the luxury.
Because Viola had summoned her.
Not invited her.
Summoned her.
“Elena.”
Viola sat beneath the covered terrace with Carlo beside her.
A leather folder waited on the table.
“Sit.”
Elena remained standing.
“I’m fine.”
Viola smiled.
“You’ve been married to my son for six years and still behave like a guest.”
“I thought tonight was Luca’s family celebration.”
“It is.”
Viola opened the folder.
“Which is why we’re protecting his future.”
Inside was a fourteen-page agreement.
Elena read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
Her stomach tightened.
It authorized Viola Russo to vote shares held in trust for Luca until he turned twenty-five.
Not just temporarily.
Irrevocably.
Elena looked up.
“No.”
Carlo leaned back.
“You haven’t read it.”
“I read enough.”
Viola’s smile disappeared.
“Matteo already agreed.”
Elena knew immediately that was a lie.
Matteo would never transfer Luca’s voting rights without discussing it with her.
“Then he can sign it.”
“He has.”
Viola pushed a page across the table.
Matteo’s signature appeared at the bottom.
Elena stared.
Something about it felt wrong.
Matteo always finished the second “t” in his name with a long downward stroke.
This one didn’t have it.
Elena closed the folder.
“I want him here.”
Carlo’s expression hardened.
“He’s handling business.”
“I’ll wait.”
Viola’s voice lowered.
“You misunderstand your position.”
Elena met her eyes.
“My position is Luca’s mother.”
“You married into this family.”
“And?”
“And the Russo name existed before you.”
Elena stood.
“So did forgery.”
Carlo shot out of his chair.
“What did you say?”
Elena held up the page.
“This isn’t Matteo’s signature.”
Viola’s face went still.
Then she smiled again.
“You’re becoming hysterical.”
“No.”
Elena put the paper down.
“I’m becoming suspicious.”
Luca began crying in his stroller nearby.
Elena turned toward him.
Carlo moved first.
He lifted Luca out.
Elena froze.
“Give him to me.”
Carlo walked toward the fire pit.
Viola remained seated.
“Sign the document.”
Elena stared at her.
“You wouldn’t.”
Viola lifted her champagne.
“Respect is taught when kindness fails.”
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That was when Elena screamed Matteo’s name.
And less than a minute later, the perfect Russo family party became a battlefield.
