Chapter 14 - WHAT VERONICA REALLY WANTED
Alexander did something he should have done years earlier.
He stopped assuming.
And started checking.
Every document.
Every date.
Every transaction.
David’s team worked through the weekend.
They found no evidence that Veronica had caused Elena’s death.
That mattered.
Alexander refused to turn suspicion into fantasy.
But what they did find was ugly enough.
Before Elena died, Veronica and Vincent had tried to buy her design company.
Elena refused.
After her death, they bought it cheaply through an intermediary while Alexander was buried in grief.
They stripped its client list.
Sold its designs.
And used the money to build their own investment company.
Then Veronica met Alexander again.
This time as a grieving widower.
She became helpful.
Patient.
Warm.
She remembered Sofia’s birthday.
She sent flowers to Margaret.
She listened when Alexander talked about Elena.
And eighteen months later, Alexander married her.
Sitting in David’s office, he read the timeline.
“I was a target.”
David nodded.
“Financially? It looks that way.”
“And Sofia?”
“An obstacle.”
Alexander leaned back.
He thought of all the times Veronica encouraged private schools.
Sleepaway camps.
More time with grandparents.
Anything that moved Sofia farther from him.
“She wanted access to everything.”
David nodded.
“Your marriage gave her access to the household, information, relationships, signatures. But Sofia’s trust remained separate.”
“So she tried to break Sofia.”
David didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
A week later, Alexander attended a court hearing.
Veronica sat with her attorney.
Perfect hair.
Perfect suit.
No remorse visible.
Financial fraud allegations were under investigation.
The court issued protective restrictions preventing contact with Sofia.
Several civil claims were already moving forward.
When the hearing ended, Veronica stood as Alexander passed.
“Alexander.”
He kept walking.
“Alexander!”
He stopped.
Her lawyer immediately said, “Veronica.”
She ignored him.
“You’re destroying my life.”
Alexander looked at her.
“No.”
“You turned everyone against me.”
“No.”
“You took my home.”
“No.”
Her voice cracked.
“What do you want me to say?”
Alexander thought about it.
Then answered.
“Nothing.”
She stared.
“I spent three years listening to what you said.”
He stepped closer, calm.
“I should have been watching what you did.”
Her face twisted.
“You think Sofia will forgive you?”
The words hit.
Veronica saw that.
She smiled.
There she was again.
The woman who found bruises inside people and pressed them.
Alexander nodded slowly.
“Maybe not.”
Her smile weakened.
“But forgiveness isn’t something she owes me.”
Veronica said nothing.
“My job is to become the father she should’ve had all along.”
He turned and left.
Outside, Sofia waited with Margaret and Rosa.
She had insisted on coming to the courthouse but had not entered the hearing.
Alexander walked toward her.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
“It’s not over.”
Sofia nodded.
“Okay.”
He looked at her.
“Are you disappointed?”
“That you didn’t win?”
“Yeah.”
She shrugged.
“Mom used to say real life isn’t a movie.”
Alexander smiled.
“She did.”
They walked toward the car.
Then Sofia stopped.
“There’s one thing I want.”
“Anything.”
She looked at him seriously.
“Don’t say ‘anything’ unless you mean it.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
She took a breath.
“I want Mom’s company back.”
Alexander stared at her.
“Sofia—”
“Not for me.”
“Then why?”
“For her.”
“That company doesn’t exist anymore.”
“Then build it again.”
Alexander looked at his twelve-year-old daughter.
For the first time, he saw not Elena’s face.
Not Elena’s eyes.
Not a reminder of what he lost.
He saw Sofia.
Entirely herself.
He smiled.
“Okay.”
Her face lit up.
Then Margaret’s phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“What?”
Alexander looked over.
Margaret listened for several seconds.
Then lowered the phone.
“That was David.”
Alexander’s stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
Margaret stared at him.
“They found Elena’s wedding ring.”
Sofia gasped.
“Where?”
May you like
Margaret’s answer stunned them all.
“Veronica had it.”
