He glanced around to make sure Alexander was nowhere nearby.
“Listen… maybe it’s better to talk another day.”
“When? When it’s already too late?”
Julian’s face drained of color.
“Valentina, I…”
“You what, Julian?”
He took a deep breath.
“I tried to convince him. I tried to tell him this was wrong, but he doesn’t listen to me.”
Valentina stopped dancing altogether.
“What are you talking about?”
“You heard it, didn’t you? That’s why you’re asking these questions.”
“Hear what?”
“The conversation in the sacristy. You were there.”
Valentina felt her heart speed up. They knew she had heard them. But at the same time, Julian was confirming everything.
“And what do you plan to do with that information?” he asked, clearly terrified.
“I still don’t know,” she said honestly. “But I do know I won’t let him use me.”
“Valentina, for the love of God, don’t make a scandal here. There are two hundred people.”
“Don’t worry, Julian. I don’t plan to make a scandal.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
For the first time since that morning, Valentina smiled sincerely.
“Something he would never imagine.”
The music ended and they stepped apart. Julian immediately crossed the room to Alexander, who was talking to some of Valentina’s uncles. She watched them whisper urgently. Alexander looked toward her, worry written across his face.
Sophia appeared beside her.
“Val, what did you say to Julian? He looks like he saw a ghost.”
“Just some talk between in-laws.”
“In-laws?”
“Nothing.”
“Something weird is happening. First you act weird, and now your husband’s best man looks terrified. What is going on?”
Valentina looked at her sister. Sophia was smart. She studied law. Maybe she could help.
“Sophia, can you do me a favor without asking questions?”
“That depends on the favor.”
“I need you to look into Alexander. Quietly.”
“What kind of information?”
“Finances. Debts. History. You have access to some university databases, right?”
Sophia’s eyes widened.
“Valentina, what is this? Did you discover something about him?”
“Please, Sophia. Just trust me, and don’t say anything to Mom and Dad yet.”
“Yet? Valentina, you’re scaring me.”
“Do you promise me you’ll do it?”
Sophia hesitated, then nodded.
“All right. But afterward, you tell me everything.”
“I promise.”
At that moment, Alexander approached with a forced smile.
“What are you two talking about so seriously?”
“Baby plans,” Valentina lied quickly. “Sophia was asking when we think we’ll have children.”
“Ah, yes. We want to wait a couple of years,” Alexander said, visibly relaxing.
“Yes. First we want to stabilize ourselves economically,” Valentina added, watching the flicker in his expression.
Alexander smiled and slipped an arm around her waist.
“Exactly. I want to make sure our family has all the security in the world.”
Security bought with her money.
Sophia watched them with that same analytical look.
“Well, I’ll leave you two. Grandma Pat is looking for me.”
As soon as Sophia walked away, Alexander tightened his grip on Valentina’s arm.
“What did you say to Julian?”
“Nothing important.”
“Why? He seems nervous.”
“Probably just normal wedding nerves. You know how anxious he gets at social events.”
