Sofia isn’t a weakness. She’s a tool, a weapon in his arsenal.

The evening goes on, and Roberto keeps his eyes on Bella, but not with the same affection he once had. Something's changed.

The pull she has on him, the strength she represents, no longer feels like an anchor.

Instead, it's a reminder of all he's sacrificed to build his empire.

His mind drifts to the meeting he had earlier with Sofia, the woman who's been filling the empty spaces in his life.

Sofia isn't a weakness.

She's a tool, a weapon in his arsenal, one he can use to expand his reach.

She knows things, and more importantly, she's willing to do things that Bella wouldn't.

As the night winds down and the guests begin to filter out, Roberto finds himself alone in the darkened hallway, the weight of his decisions heavy on his shoulders.

He'd never let anyone see that side of him, the man who might be losing control, the man who's starting to wonder if the empire he's built is worth the price he's paying.

Bella finds him in the hallway, her presence calm but sharp.

She doesn't ask him where he's been or who he's been talking to.

She simply stands there, watching him.

"Do you think we're in control of our lives, Roberto?"

she asks, her voice carrying an edge he hasn't heard before.

The question catches him off guard.

"What do you mean?"

She steps closer, her eyes searching his.

"This marriage… our lives… It's all just a game, isn't it?"

He doesn't respond right away, unsure of how to answer.

Instead, he takes a step closer to her, closing the distance between them.

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect us," he says, his voice low, the words carrying weight that he hopes will settle her doubts.

But Bella doesn't seem reassured.

Instead, she watches him for a long moment, her gaze soft but calculating.

"Just remember, Roberto, in this world, the stakes are always higher than you think."

And with that, she turns and walks away, leaving Roberto standing in the silence of the hallway, the echo of her words lingering in the air.