"Yes, it was Sophia."
The name, Sophia, left Jaxton's lips like a curse.
Aneira's eyes snapped up to meet his, her face paling. "What did you say?"
He lowered the phone, his jaw clenched. "My private investigator just confirmed it. The property wasn't transferred by some faceless shell company. It was Sophia. Your sister-" he corrected himself quickly, "-her. She forged the documents. She sold your father's vineyard."
Aneira just stood there.
Motionless and silent. A storm growing in her eyes, but no strength to let it rain.
She pressed a hand to her chest, as if trying to steady her breath, but it didn't work. Her body wouldn't stop trembling. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears like a war drum.
"She knew what that vineyard meant…" Her voice cracked. "It was one of the few pieces of my father's property. He built it with his bare hands. I heard about the property from Aiden…"
