Chapter 3

Three days before the ball, I went to a couture studio in Boston to pick up the gown I'd commissioned.

I'd saved up from odd jobs to have an independent designer make it. Something presentable, at least. My own coming-of-age dress.

The studio owner checked the system and looked uncomfortable.

"Miss Moretti, the deposit for your gown was picked up two days ago... by a Mrs. Moretti."

I was shaking with rage.

I'd drawn those sketches myself.

Even without the family necklace, I wanted one shred of dignity.

Now even that was gone.

When I got back to the estate, they were throwing Bella's pre-wedding party.

Bella sat among the women, wearing not only Grandmother's diamond bracelet, but a new pair of Cartier gold bangles on her wrist.

My aunt grabbed her hand. "These must have cost a fortune."

My mother beamed. "Cartier gold bracelets—nine hundred sixty thousand dollars. Bella can't look shabby marrying into the Harrison family."

Nine hundred sixty thousand.

Exactly what I had in my bank account.

I rushed to my room and opened the box hidden under my bed.

The bankbook was gone. The card was gone.

I walked back to the living room with the empty box.

The laughter died down.

"Mom, where's my money?"

She frowned. "Do you have to make a scene in front of everyone? It's your coming-of-age ball tomorrow."

"Did you take the money from my account?"

Bella instinctively pulled her sleeve over the bracelets.

My mother saw there was no hiding it.

"Bella's marrying into the Harrison family. She has so many expenses. You're going to college soon—once you have a degree, you'll earn plenty. You can always save again."

"I saved that for five years. Fixing jewelry. Drawing designs. Five years."

My father's voice was sharp. "Why do you have to be so particular about money? We raised you for eighteen years. We use some of your money, and we have to report to you?"

"Why not use Bella's money?"

Matteo sneered. "Bella's marrying into the Harrison family. She's going to be a lady of the house. You're just going to college—living like a student. How can you compare?"

Always the same words.

Because Bella married well, she deserved everything.

Because I was leaving, they could take whatever they wanted.

Bella's eyes reddened as she slipped the bracelet off.

"Since you care so much, you can have them back. I can get married without jewelry."

She said the words, but her hand never reached out.

My mother was already holding her, comforting her.

"Once jewelry's worn, you can't return it. It's bad luck."

I spoke slowly, one word at a time.

"Give me back my rubies, Grandmother's diamond bracelet, and the nine hundred sixty thousand dollars. All of it."

My mother's face went pale.

"You're going to tear this whole family apart over a few things?"

"Those are my things."

My father laughed coldly.

"You've lived off the Moretti family your whole life. Even your last name is ours. What do you actually own?"

The room went quiet.

I looked at my mother, hoping she would say something.

But she held Bella tighter and looked at me with disappointment.

"Sophia, you've always been so sensible. How can you be so difficult right before the ball?"

Matteo rapped his knuckles on the table.

"This is Bella's once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age. Do you really need all those things to survive?"

One by one, they'd taken everything.

My clothes. My heirlooms. My necklace. My savings.

They thought that as long as I was still breathing, I had no right to complain.

When I didn't answer, my mother softened.

"After Bella's ball is over, I'll set some small diamonds into your silver chain. Let's leave it at that."

I lowered my eyes.

"Fine. Let's leave it there."

That night, I took the bag I'd already packed and called a taxi to Logan Airport.

My father was busy entertaining guests. My mother was fixing Bella's gown. Matteo was out discussing the marriage with the Harrisons.

It was as if I'd never existed in the Moretti house.

My luggage had only a few old clothes, and Grandmother's jewelry box.

That was all I took.

At the bottom of the box, tucked beneath the tools, was a sealed envelope.

I'd found it when I'd organized her things. I'd never opened it.

The plane took off in light rain.

I opened the envelope and read it by the window light.

"Sophia, your grandmother knows where you stand in that house."

"Every design you've drawn is better than your mother's."

"What they won't give you, earn yourself."

"These tools have been with me for forty years. They're yours now."

"Remember—keep your own things safe."

"Don't wait for anyone else to do it for you."

I folded the letter and put it in my pocket.

From now on, the Moretti family meant nothing to me.

On the day of the ball, the entire Moretti household was busy.

The event manager checked his clipboard. "Mrs. Moretti, isn't Sophia ready yet?"

My mother was fastening Bella's necklace. She didn't look up.

"She's probably still in her room."

The butler came running in, panicked.

"Ma'am, Miss Sophia isn't here. The gate guard said she went to the airport two days ago."

My mother's hands stopped.

Matteo tried my number.

It was disconnected.

My mother was about to speak when Mrs. Harrison walked in.

She glanced at the ruby at Bella's throat.

"I heard Sophia fixed this."

Bella's smile froze.

"There's an issue with the wedding jewelry," Mrs. Harrison continued. "I need her to fix it tonight."

My mother's face finally turned white.

But by then, my plane had already touched down in New York.