Page 85 of Depths of Desire
“You will sit,” Aldryn growls. “As you have accused the Valdici family of violating a sacred contract, we will allow them to ask questions in their defense.” He nods to Renzo.
My stomach twists into knots.
“Mr. Benedetti,” Renzo says, “come forward.”
My father rises slowly from the bench and limps into the Tribunal Circle. His face is bruised, swollen. One foot drags, and his arm is in a sling. I want to feel something. Pity. Relief. But all I feel is cold. Detached. Empty. This man let this happen.
Renzo asks, “Mr. Benedetti, were you present when this agreement between your wife and Malrick was struck?”
My father looks at Renzo. Then at my mother. Finally, he meets my eyes. His voice is quiet. “No.”
“I’m sorry,” Renzo says. “We didn’t catch that.”
My father sighs. “No. I was not present.”
Gasps ripple again through the gallery. My stomach twists in knots as I hold my breath.
“Say that again,” Aldryn commands.
“I was not present when the deal was struck.”
Aldryn leans forward. “But you did sign the document?”
My father shakes his head. “No, I did not.”
Sivara shoots to her feet. “But your signature is right here!” Her fingernail points the signature like a dagger.
“That,” my father says, “is not my signature. My wife forged it.”
A sharp breath escapes me, and the tears come—sudden and hot. I blink them back. This is not the moment to cry. I need to look strong. However, some deep part of me cracks open. He finally stood up for me. I glance around and for the first time notice Julien. He offers me a small smile, which I appreciate more than I thought possible. Luca squeezes my knee. The gesture grounds me. I wish Nico was beside me, but I’ll take what comfort I can from his friend and his brother. I feel better knowing Julien is here. Maybe he won’t have to testify now, but his presence makes me feel like I can survive this.
If only Nico were here. That would make me feel so much stronger.
The council members lean back, murmuring to one another.
The red-robed king speaks again. “You are saying your wife and Malrick’s representative have both lied to this Council today?”
“Yes.” My father’s voice is strong, louder now. “I did not make this agreement. I did not sign it. My wife has learned to forge my signature over the years. If you look closely, you’ll see her version always has a small, curved tail on the end of the I in my last name. Mine does not. That’s how I can tell when she’s faked it.”
Aldryn reaches out. “Let me see the document.”
Sivara glares at my father, but walks over and hands it to him.
“Do you have a signature for comparison?” the king asks.
My father pulls out his wallet and removes his driver’s license.
He starts to walk it forward, but Renzo intercepts it, laying it carefully on the table in front of the kings. They examine it in silence.
Finally, Aldryn speaks. “Well. This changes things.” He sets the document down and looks at Sivara with narrowed eyes.“This agreement is null and void. Niccolo Valdici’s marriage to Luna Benedetti is valid and stands.”
A wave of relief crashes over me—but it’s short-lived.
“However,” Aldryn says darkly, “we must now address the other issue.”
I blink. “What other issue?” I whisper to Renzo.
He gives me a tight shake of his head.Not now. The message is clear. I search for Julien. His expression is one of sympathy, which makes my stomach drop. What’s going on?
