CHAPTER 5 — THE GATES CLOSED
CHAPTER 5 — THE GATES CLOSED
Marco had never been denied entry anywhere.
Not after he married me.
For five years, he had grown accustomed to doors opening, people smiling, opportunities appearing. He believed charm could solve anything and that every mistake could be erased with the right performance.
The wrought-iron gates of the Ricci Estate did not care about charm.
They remained firmly shut.
Marco stood outside in an expensive navy suit, clutching a bouquet of white lilies. The flowers looked pitiful against the towering stone walls and armed security guards.
"I just need five minutes," he pleaded through the intercom. "Please tell Elena this is all a misunderstanding."
The head of security, Carlos Mendoza, didn't even blink.
"Mrs. Ricci has declined your request."
"It's Mrs. Vega."
Carlos looked directly at him.
"No."
The single word hit harder than a slap.
"It is Mrs. Elena Isabella Ricci."
Marco forced a smile.
"There has been some confusion."
"There has."
Carlos's expression remained unreadable.
"You confused love with opportunity."
Marco's face hardened.
"You work for her."
"I do."
"Then tell her I deserve an explanation."
Carlos pressed a button.
A large screen mounted beside the gate flickered to life.
Instead of showing Elena...
It displayed a legal document.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY FRAUD INVESTIGATION
Marco frowned.
"What is this?"
Carlos spoke calmly.
"Last night, Ricci International's legal department reviewed the sale of the apartment you transferred yesterday."
Marco's stomach tightened.
"The apartment was jointly owned."
"It was."
"And under Spanish law, selling jointly owned property while concealing material financial information from your spouse may constitute civil fraud."
The bouquet slipped slightly in Marco's hand.
Carlos continued.
"You informed Mrs. Ricci that she had three days to vacate."
"Yes..."
"You failed to mention you had already accepted payment."
Marco said nothing.
"You also transferred assets during the marriage without proper disclosure."
"I had every right—"
Carlos interrupted.
"Our attorneys disagree."
A black sedan arrived behind Marco.
Two impeccably dressed lawyers stepped out carrying leather briefcases.
The older one introduced himself.
"Good morning, Mr. Vega."
Marco recognized the logo immediately.
Ricci International Legal Division.
His confidence evaporated.
"You've been served."
The lawyer handed him a thick envelope.
"Inside you will find notice of an emergency injunction freezing the proceeds from your apartment sale pending judicial review."
Marco stared blankly.
"You... froze my money?"
"The court did."
"I already spent part of it."
"Then I strongly suggest you prepare an explanation."
The lawyers turned and walked away without another word.
For the first time in his adult life, Marco realized wealth didn't merely buy comfort.
It bought time.
Power.
Protection.
And the best lawyers in the country.
Inside the estate, I watched everything through a security monitor.
I expected satisfaction.
Instead...
I felt tired.
"He looks frightened," I murmured.
Alessandro nodded.
"He should."
"I don't enjoy this."
"I know."
He looked at me carefully.
"That is why your mother believed you deserved everything she built."
I looked away from the screen.
"I still don't understand why she trusted me with so much."
Alessandro smiled sadly.
"Because she spent twenty-five years making sure wealth never became your identity."
Before I could answer, another contraction tightened across my stomach.
Less painful than before.
But enough to make me stop walking.
The family doctor examined me immediately.
"Stress remains your greatest enemy."
"Can I return to work tomorrow?"
He laughed softly.
"You became chairwoman yesterday."
"I already have meetings."
"You also have a child arriving in a few weeks."
He looked directly at Alessandro.
"If anyone causes Mrs. Ricci unnecessary stress..."
His tone hardened.
"...I will personally remove them from this estate."
Meanwhile, Sofia sat alone in the apartment.
She kept refreshing social media.
Every headline praised the mysterious Ricci heiress.
Every article condemned Marco.
The public had turned overnight.
Comments flooded the internet.
He abandoned his pregnant wife at her mother's funeral?
What kind of man does that?
She inherited billions, but that's not even the worst part.
He betrayed her with her best friend.
Sofia's phone buzzed.
Her modeling agency.
"We're terminating your contract."
"What?"
"Our sponsors don't want the negative publicity."
"They can't do that!"
"They just did."
The line went dead.
Another call arrived.
Her landlord.
"I'm sorry, but your lease renewal has been canceled."
Then another.
A cosmetics company.
"We're withdrawing your campaign."
Within two hours...
Every endorsement vanished.
Every opportunity disappeared.
She wasn't being punished because Elena was rich.
She was being abandoned because the truth had become public.
And nobody wanted to stand beside the woman who had celebrated another woman's heartbreak.
That evening, Alessandro entered my study carrying another folder.
"I found something your mother wanted you to see."
Inside were photographs.
Marco.
Dozens of them.
Some entering luxury hotels.
Some meeting unfamiliar businessmen.
Some exchanging envelopes.
Dates stretched back four years.
"I had investigators watching him?"
"Your mother did."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Because she hoped she was wrong."
He opened the final page.
It contained one handwritten note from Isabella.
If Elena discovers these after my death, she will blame herself.
Please remind her...
A kind heart is never something to regret.
Trusting the wrong person is painful.
Losing the ability to trust anyone is tragic.
I pressed the note against my chest.
Even after everything...
My mother was still protecting my heart.
That night, as I stood on the balcony overlooking the gardens, I whispered into the darkness,
"I miss you."
A soft breeze moved through the olive trees.
For the first time since the funeral...
May you like
The silence no longer felt empty.
It felt like she was listening.
