They returned to Milan under a new kind of silence.
Not awkward.
Not distant.
But charged.
The contract marriage no longer felt like a contract.
At the hotel, bigger problems were waiting.
Romano had launched a hostile emergency board vote.
Objective:
Remove Alexander as CEO.
Reason:
"Personal instability and compromised leadership."
The vote would happen that night.
Board chamber.
Top floor.
8:00 p.m.
Emily was not supposed to be there.
But at 7:52, Isabella Moretti personally approached her in the executive corridor.
And handed her a sealed envelope.
"What is this?"
Isabella answered:
"The truth."
Inside:
Copies of financial bribes.
Romano's offshore accounts.
Evidence of corporate sabotage.
Emily stared up in shock.
"Why are you giving me this?"
Isabella's expression remained unreadable.
"Because whatever else you are…"
She paused.
"You are loyal to my son."
Minutes later, the board vote began.
Romano stood confident.
Until the chamber doors opened.
Emily entered.
Every director turned.
Alexander rose halfway from his chair.
Emily walked straight to the center table and placed the evidence before the board.
Silence.
Then chaos erupted.
Accusations.
Shouting.
Legal threats.
Within fifteen minutes—
Romano was suspended pending criminal investigation.
Vote collapsed.
Alexander retained control.
After midnight, the board tower was empty.
Only Emily and Alexander remained in the dark executive office.
City lights glowed below.
Alexander stood in front of her quietly.
"You saved me."
Emily gave a small tired smile.
"You saved me first."
He reached into his jacket pocket.
And removed the original marriage contract.
Without a word—
He tore it in half.
Then into quarters.
Then dropped the pieces into the fireplace.
Emily stared at the burning paper.
"What are you doing?"
Alexander stepped toward her.
His voice was low.
Certain.
Unshakable.
"Ending the only part of this marriage that was false."
Emily's heart stopped.
And then he said the words that changed everything:
"This is no longer a contract, Emily."
"This is real."