Chapter 8 - The Syndicate Boss Who Refused to Own Me|
Roman Valenti had spent twenty years building a reputation that made powerful people careful with their words.
He negotiated contracts worth hundreds of millions.
Owned businesses across several states.
Managed complicated relationships with families who remembered grudges for generations.
But he had never imagined his father would arrange his future marriage through a contract hidden in an old Victorian house.
Especially not with a woman he'd only met four days earlier.
Now he stood inside his office, staring at the document.
Daniel Reeves sat across from him.
"The amendment appears to have been executed shortly before Eleanor Whitaker died."
Roman frowned.
"By whom?"
"Your father and Mrs. Whitaker."
Roman closed his eyes.
Alessandro Valenti had died eight years earlier.
Eleanor Whitaker four.
Neither had ever mentioned an arrangement involving Ren.
"What does it say?"
Daniel hesitated.
"It refers to a proposed marriage alliance."
Roman stared.
"Marriage alliance?"
"Yes."
"And what happens if the marriage doesn't occur?"
Daniel reviewed the document.
"Certain ownership and voting arrangements may remain unresolved."
Roman gave a humorless laugh.
"So my father tried to turn marriage into a business transaction."
Daniel said nothing.
Roman looked toward the window.
For years, he'd resented the way his father controlled every decision.
His education.
His career.
His friendships.
Even the women he dated.
Now the old man had apparently reached beyond death to arrange his marriage.
Roman picked up the document.
"Does Ren know?"
"Not yet."
Roman took a breath.
"Then tell Rebecca Shaw."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Immediately?"
"Yes."
"Sir, this could complicate negotiations."
Roman turned.
"Ren isn't a negotiation."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Understood."
That afternoon, Rebecca called me.
Her voice sounded cautious.
"Ren, we found an additional document."
I sat upright.
"What?"
She explained the marriage amendment.
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because the universe apparently believed I hadn't suffered enough wedding-related humiliation.
"Let me understand this."
Rebecca waited.
"Derek's father sent him to date me because of my grandmother's property."
"That's what Derek has admitted."
"And now you're telling me Grandma once discussed marrying me to Roman Valenti?"
"There's a document suggesting that possibility."
I closed my eyes.
"Wonderful."
Rebecca's voice softened.
"The document doesn't mean you have to marry anyone."
"I know."
"But it raises questions about the original ownership arrangements."
I sighed.
"Of course it does."
After the call, I sat in silence.
My grandmother.
The woman who taught me to stand up for myself.
The woman who told me never to marry a man simply because he was wealthy.
Why would she sign something like that?
I didn't understand.
An hour later, Roman called.
I almost didn't answer.
Then I remembered how he had been honest with me at the church.
At least, more honest than Derek.
"Hello?"
"Ren."
His voice was deep.
Calm.
"Roman."
A pause.
"I assume Rebecca told you."
I laughed weakly.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry."
I frowned.
"For what?"
"My father's part in this."
I looked toward the window.
"Did you know?"
"No."
"Would you have agreed?"
He hesitated.
"Not without meeting you."
I smiled faintly.
"That's a diplomatic answer."
"It's an honest one."
Silence.
Then Roman continued.
"Ren, I want you to understand something."
I waited.
"Whatever the documents say, you don't owe me anything."
My chest tightened.
"Not even a marriage?"
A quiet laugh.
"Especially not a marriage."
For the first time that day, I smiled.
Roman continued.
"I've asked my attorneys to examine ways to resolve the ownership questions without attaching them to anyone's personal life."
I swallowed.
"Thank you."
"You deserve the freedom to make your own decisions."
Something inside me softened.
For years, Derek had made promises while quietly planning things behind my back.
Roman was doing the opposite.
He was explaining the problem before asking for anything.
I looked down.
"Roman?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something personal?"
"Of course."
"Why did you really come to the church?"
Silence.
Long enough that I wondered whether he'd answer.
Then he spoke.
"Because I discovered Derek was using your property."
I waited.
"And?"
He sighed.
"And because I knew your grandmother."
My heart tightened.
Then his voice softened.
"She once told me that if I ever met her granddaughter, I'd understand why she was so proud of her."
Tears filled my eyes.
"She said that?"
"Yes."
I covered my mouth.
Roman continued.
"Ren, your grandmother didn't want you to become someone else's possession."
I closed my eyes.
"Then why the marriage agreement?"
"That's what I intend to find out."
Silence settled between us.
Then he asked:
"Would you have dinner with me sometime?"
My heart skipped.
"To discuss the contracts?"
"No."
I stared at the phone.
"Then why?"
Roman hesitated.
"Because I'd like to know you."
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
The most powerful man I'd ever met was asking me on a date.
Not ordering.
Not manipulating.
Asking.
I swallowed.
"Roman, my wedding collapsed four days ago."
"I know."
"I'm not ready."
"I understand."
I smiled sadly.
"Maybe someday."
His voice softened.
"Someday is enough."
After we ended the call, I sat staring at my phone.
For the first time since leaving the church, the future didn't feel like something that had been stolen from me.
It felt uncertain.
Terrifying.
But mine.
Then a message arrived from Rebecca.
Ren, the forensic review found a second amendment to the original agreement.
My stomach tightened.
I called immediately.
"What amendment?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"One that appears to have been signed by your mother."
I froze.
"My mother died when I was nineteen."
"Yes."
"Then how is her signature on it?"
Rebecca took a breath.
"The date is from two years ago."
I stopped breathing.
May you like
My mother had been dead for twelve years.
And someone had just produced a document bearing her signature from two years earlier.
