Chapter 7 The public fracture

The Romano estate hadn't seen Katherine since that luncheon.

But her absence lingered in every marble hallway.

Her perfume no longer clung to the air.

Her quiet footsteps no longer echoed behind Alessio.

The seat beside him remained empty at every public event.

And yet - she didn't crumble.

She had moved into a private penthouse overlooking the heart of Castellane - smaller than the Romano estate, but far more peaceful.

Her days were filled with simple routines: Morning yoga. Afternoon teas. Late-night balcony views over the sparkling skyline.

And always, beside her - Lila.

Lila had been her anchor long before the Romano name ever touched Katherine's life.

Sassy. Loyal. Brutally honest.

She sat cross-legged on Katherine's sofa, sipping wine like it was oxygen.

"You're handling this way better than I would," Lila said, swirling her glass.

"If it were me? I'd be keying his Bugatti."

Katherine smiled faintly.

"There's more power in silence, Lila."

"You and your scary little mind games," Lila grinned.

"I love it."

As Lila sat there scrolling through her phone

"Do you want to attend this gala with me? It looks fun and we can have the opportunity to venture to meet new people in the business sector"

Katherine lost in thought

"I don't want to"

"But you have to!" Lila seemingly upset that her best friend not wanting to go out at all.

"We can't have you coup up in the house all week"

The annual Castellane Foundation Gala was the kind of event designed for power displays:

Wealth, connections, influence.

Exactly where the Romanos thrived.

Katherine hadn't planned to attend.

But Lila had insisted.

"You need to be seen," Lila had said firmly as she zipped Katherine into the black silk gown.

"They want you to disappear. So don't."

And tonight, Katherine did anything but disappear.

She was radiant - polished, poised, untouchable.

The photographers lit up the moment she stepped into the grand ballroom.

Her signature blonde waves brushed over one shoulder, her gown hugging her curves like liquid shadow.

Every eye turned.

As soon as Katherine made her entrance, Matteo Falcone approached.

Matteo Falcone - one of Alessio's longtime business associates, owner of Falcone Global Shipping, one of the largest logistics companies under Romano International's partnership umbrella.

Sharp black tuxedo.

Dark eyes glittering with interest.

Effortlessly powerful.

"I was hoping you'd attend tonight, Katherine," Matteo greeted smoothly, offering his hand.

"I almost didn't," Katherine replied softly, accepting his hand with perfect grace.

"But the temptation to watch the vultures circle was too strong."

"If they're vultures, then you're the only lioness here," Matteo murmured, his eyes lingering on her face.

"Careful," she smiled, "flattery like that could start rumors."

"Let them talk," Matteo said, voice dropping slightly.

"They're already watching."

And indeed they were.

Across the ballroom, Luciana and Sofia stood near the grand staircase, watching everything unfold.

Their eyes burned with judgment.

Luciana's Whisper

"Shameless," Luciana hissed to Sofia.

"Draped on another man while she's still legally married."

Sofia sneered.

"She's humiliating Alessio in front of everyone."

Luciana's lip curled.

"And dragging this family's name through the mud while she's at it."

Alessio

From across the room, Alessio stood perfectly still.

Expression blank.

Glass in hand.

Watching.

Always watching.

Bianca appeared at his side like smoke.

"She moves on so quickly, doesn't she?" she purred.

Alessio said nothing.

His gaze never left Katherine.

As the evening stretched, Luciana finally couldn't contain herself.

With Sofia at her heels, she approached Katherine and Matteo mid-conversation, interrupting with a sharp, sugary voice.

"Katherine, darling, I see you've made... interesting company tonight."

Matteo straightened slightly but remained composed, his hand resting lightly at Katherine's lower back - protective, territorial.

"Mrs. Romano," he greeted Luciana smoothly.

"A pleasure."

Luciana's smile tightened.

"I wasn't aware you two were so... familiar."

"It's a new world, Luciana," Katherine replied calmly.

"One I'm enjoying navigating."

Sofia snorted, loud enough for nearby guests to hear.

"Navigating? You mean shopping for your next husband, perhaps?"

The comment was sharp enough to draw the attention of several guests nearby.

Matteo's voice dropped, firm and smooth.

"Careful, Miss Romano."

"Your words may carry further than your family's dignity can afford."

Sofia flushed instantly, mouth opening to snap back - but Luciana cut in, her tone dripping venom.

"You've embarrassed this family enough, Katherine."

"Your behavior has made a spectacle of yourself - and of Alessio."

Katherine smiled, her voice soft but sharp as a knife's edge.

"I find it amusing how concerned you are about my dignity when you spent years trying to destroy it behind closed doors."

Luciana's mask cracked, eyes flashing in fury.

"You were never fit for this family."

"Then it's a good thing I'm no longer part of it," Katherine replied, her smile widening.

"And yet... you still can't seem to stop talking about me."

Around them, the surrounding crowd shifted slightly - people subtly inching closer, listening, pretending not to.

The whispers had already begun.

"Is that his mother?"

"What a scene."

"Did you hear? They're divorcing..."

Unable to allow the spectacle to escalate further, Alessio approached - calm, cold, but eyes burning with control.

"Enough," he said sharply, his voice cutting through the growing tension.

Luciana stiffened but said nothing.

Sofia crossed her arms but fell silent.

Their gazes locked - power clashing silently in the middle of the glittering ballroom.

For a moment, the entire room held its breath.

"You've made quite the scene," Alessio said quietly.

"Not my scene, Alessio." Katherine's voice was velvet.

"Your family's."

Matteo didn't move.

He remained at Katherine's side - strong, steady - as if daring Alessio to react further.

But Alessio simply stared, calculating.

Still convinced this was temporary.

Still sure she would come crawling back

Bianca watched from across the room - smiling.

The fractures were widening.

But not the way she thought.

Not yet.