a De Lu

for the wives of neighboring families. It was one of my duties,

cious and serene hostess, the p

new diamond bracelet that glittered obnoxiously in the sun. She believed I had surren

the elderly Matriarch of the Falcone f

pping with false admiration. "She manages the family's business and the househo

elp, she was the pleasure. The other w

r roles. Some of us are here to create va

ened, a flash of

peared, walking across t

As she moved to pass me, her ankle "twisted" unnaturally. The champa

l cry and threw herself sideways, colla

he result: Aria, screaming in a thorn bush, and

a mask of concern. "Aria! Ar

formance. "My ankle," she sobbed, clutchi

ant and absurd, hung in

their faces rapt wit

ped toward me, his eyes blazing with fury.

the hell did you

c little play unfold. Any denial would be

. "It's not her fault, Alessandro, I was probab

imity only fueled

ridiculous, dramatic gesture, lik

turned. And in front of everyone, in front of the most powerful

was like a

Apologize