ella

aline, but the moment we stepped into my father'

as he recounted what Natalia Gallo had done in the boutique. He spared no

tremble, but his eyes-usually sharp and calculating-darkened into a terrifying, bo

ughter," Antonio said, his

, his chest heaving with residual guilt and rage. "I w

ale, but her jaw was set in stone. She didn't ask for permission. She pic

ty. "The engagement between our families is over. Keep your daughter away from my blo

It wasn't a negotiation. It was

chaos of the boutique kept my heart racing. Needing a glass of water, I

illed from the cracked door. I froze, catching the

Gallo lost his mind when Sofia called. He dragged Natalia do

gainst my mouth, my

of our alliance, Damien Moretti will finally purge him. The Wraith has been looking fo

devoid of mercy. "His daughter dared to touch

had been cruel, but the sheer, crushing weight of my family's retaliation terrified me. I was beginning to understan

hite wrought-iron bench, staring at a velvet-lined wooden box. Inside were the items my family had hast

ved black rose. Its petals felt like dark velvet, completel

relaxed for the first time in days. "It's done," he announced, sitting b

flower. "Did you leave this for me, M

dropped to th

went rigid, his pupils dilating in pure, unadulterated horror

hat?" he choked out,

my brow furrowing in confusion. "I though

fingers. He looked around the garden wildly, as if expecting a monste

en

te black petals in his massive fist and grabbed my arm, pulling me up from the bench. "It's a mist

nd desperate, leaving me to wonder what kind of g