The Invitation That Wasn't Real
Chapter 13 - The Invitation That Wasn't Real
The invitation was a trap.
That much became obvious when Dante called Elena and discovered she had never agreed to marry him.
But the message had already spread through New York's charity circle.
For twenty-four hours, everyone believed the engagement was real.
Leah did not.
She knew Dante too well.
Still, knowing did not make it painless.
Elena came to Leah's apartment.
“I am sorry.”
“You didn't do anything.”
“I know.”
They sat together quietly.
Then Elena admitted the truth.
The forged invitation was designed to make Leah disappear from Dante's life voluntarily.
Whoever created it knew Leah would never compete with another woman.
They were right.
Leah packed a suitcase.
Not because she was running.
Because she was finally choosing herself.
Before she could leave, Dante arrived.
He did not ask her to stay.
Instead, he handed her a document.
It was the deed to a small foundation.
Her name was on it.
“What is this?”
“Your work.”
“I don't want your money.”
“It isn't mine.”
Dante explained that Bianca had placed money into a trust for Leah years earlier.
He had kept it untouched because he thought Leah would eventually want a life outside the estate.
The foundation was hers.
No Raviieri name.
No conditions.
No Dante.
Leah looked at him.
“Why now?”
“Because loving you means I cannot keep giving you reasons to stay.”
She cried then.
Not dramatically.
Just quietly.
The kind of tears that come after someone finally says the thing you needed years ago.
Dante wiped one from her cheek.
He stopped before touching her again.
“Tell me to leave.”
Leah looked at him.
“Stay.”
He closed his eyes.
Then the apartment door opened.
Marco stood there.
He held up his phone.
On the screen was live footage of Nora.
She was being held somewhere underground.
May you like
Marco smiled.
“Now you can choose what matters more.”
