Page 56 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘An opportunity for you and for the company,’ he probed. ‘Is that what you’re saying? Because you’re committed to Barbieri Enterprises?’

Stella had given her all and wasn’t about to walk away, no matter how enticing the other offers. She wanted to make her mark in the family company. She wanted to belong.

‘Of course I’m committed.’

He sat back, eyes glinting, and trepidation stirred in her belly. That toothy smile put her on edge.

‘Excellent. Youhaveworked hard, Stella. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. And now thereisan opportunity for you to show your commitment to the company and the family.’

Unease skittered down her spine. ‘You’re not talking about the hotel in Taormina, are you?’

With money and vision, the newly acquired hotel could become a jewel. She wanted to be the person to achieve that. It would be her steppingstone into the company’s executive and the future for which she’d worked so hard. Yet instinct born of a decade and a half’s acquaintance with Alfredo Barbieri warned he had something else up his sleeve.

Her father waved a dismissive hand. ‘The hotel is yours and the budget you need to renovate. On one condition.’

Now they came to it.

Stella had suspected from the moment she’d walked into his office that the old man was up to something. But she’d put it down to nerves, telling herself it was imagination.

She should have known she’d have to jump through more hoops than her half-brothers ever had to get the same opportunity. It had always been like that.

Planting her hands on the arms of her chair, she met her father’s eyes. ‘What condition?’

‘Marriage. Join our family with the Morosis.’ He leaned back, rubbing his hands. ‘Eduardo Morosi is sole heir to a banking empire. Rich, aristocratic and in need of a wife. Think what we could do with access to the Morosi family money and connections.’

Her head felt light and her voice was scratchy as she said, ‘We’ve got our own money and connections.’

‘Don’t be naïve, girl!’ He slapped the desk again. ‘There are some things you can never have too much of. I’ve been in negotiations with the family for some time and we’re close to agreement on some big projects.’ He paused, his glare pinioning her. ‘We’re talking serious money and long-term schemes. Obviously if that were underpinned by afamilyconnection, we’d all feel happier. It’s easier to trust family, after all.’

Stella sucked air into starved lungs. Her half-brothers had married well-connected women but as far as she knew they’d chosen their brides. Had that been allowed because they were male or because they wererealBarbieris, not foreign blow-ins?

Maybe it was sheer luck that the Morosi heir was male and Alfredo had an unmarried daughter. An asset to be negotiated away like an underperforming hotel.

Her throat was so tight she could barely swallow. The rusty tang of blood tainted her tongue where she’d bitten it.

‘And without a marriage?’ she whispered. ‘Doesn’t the Morosi family trust you enough to do business otherwise?’

She wouldn’t blame them. Her father had a knack for getting his own way at the expense of others.

Dull colour flooded his cheeks, his mouth flattening. ‘You’re saying no?’

She lifted one shoulder. ‘Surely Eduardo Morosi can find his own wife. Unless there’s something wrong with him?’

‘There’s nothing wrong with him. You should be grateful I’ve gone to so much trouble finding you such a husband. Any woman would be proud to marry him.’ Her father leaned across the desk. ‘And proud to help their family.’

Stella wanted to say she’d already helped her family. She’d put in years of virtually unpaid work, always ready for whatever challenge was thrown her way, never complaining. As her skills had grown she’d been responsible for changes that had increased profits significantly. She was an asset to the business and they both knew it.

‘You’re not saying anything, Stella,’ her father said through gritted teeth.

‘I want toworkfor the company, not be sold off like an inanimate object.’

For long moments her father held her gaze before slowly shaking his head. ‘I’ve always tried to do what’s best for you, Stella. Taking you in, caring for you, giving you a home. I never thought you’d be ungrateful.’

‘I’m not ungrateful! I just want—’

‘That’s the current generation, isn’t it? It’s all about whatyouwant. Not about what you can do for those who care for you and raised you. Who gave you the best education and opportunities. The best of everything.’

He surveyed her exquisitely tailored designer jacket and silk blouse, far better than her usual clothes. She’d chosen to wear this outfit because her father had insisted on buying it for a family celebration at a renowned restaurant, knowing they’d be under public scrutiny. He’d been happy with her that day and she’d wanted to please him today by looking as good as she could. Like an up-and-coming executive.