ra

e Falcone estate was

, one gloved hand resting against the carve

ed corridor with the doors not quite closed. Through the narrow seam, I could see the long table, the grim faces

s thick wi

ed once against the

wasn't

m. Whispers of cowardice. Speculatio

gh to carry. "Well, what can you expect from a girl with n

ent, soft and eager, the kind of laughter people offer

. She did spend the night in Damien's bed. I suppose even a man who can'

slid through the room

rs frowned. Others look

s about to speak, to bring her c

n I pushed t

lked

nt and severe. I wore no jewelry, save for the simple wedding band that had been placed on

ed, unhurried. My ex

ve Eleonora a slight bow of my head. "My

Lucia or Enzo. I treat

u're the guest of honor and you dare to

"I was not being disrespectful. I was on a video conference

e hall fe

ble. Who could fault a devoted wife

, ugly red. She was speechl

tire room. "Damien's well-being is, and always will be,

aring wife, aligning everyone else with me. To disa

th approval. She had cho

Enzo, thank you for your concern about what happened in my husband's bed. How thought

in the air, my gaze a

this family, is an honor. Even in silence, he commands more respect

face ti

d why the concept confuses you. Some men build empires. Some men defend bloodline

ed silence moved

ry about my stamina. I survived betrayal, a public scandal, a funeral wedding, and one ni

ded with surgi

but he was trapped. He couldn't say a word

ze for a moment longe

the older men lowered his eyes first, then another. The women who had laugh

. She pulled it out for me with quiet precision, as if the seat had alwa

sa

but the room understood it. The conversation resumed only after I pla

r one humiliating second too long before

ze move over the table. This time, no one looked away becaus