were the evening's royal couple. The way Marco's hand lingered on Isabella's back sent a surge of something primal through Alejandro. He

he room's attention-everyone wanted to be near her. People whispered as she passed, drawn to her elegance, her poi

roar in his ears. Without another word, he turned on his heel and made his way through the

ght as his thoughts spiraled out of control. What had he done? He had thought divorcing her would give him the freedom to be with Vicky, to reclaim the life

wro

on. He turned to see Vicky approach

stepping closer to him. "Are yo

ing a tight smile. "I'm f

ghtly as if she could sense that something wa

hly than he intended. Vicky blinked, her

fore she spoke again, her voice co

itten all over his face, in the way his eyes flicked toward

aid, her voice laced with bitterness. "She was alwa

ky that she was wrong, that Isabella had meant nothing more to him than a

ing down on him, he realized that Isabella had always been m

should have known better than to think you'd ever really move o

d himself unable to respond. The words refused to form, and the silenc

sharply against the stone floor as she disappeared back into the ball

were still

onvinced himself that love had nothing to do with his marriage to Isabella-that it was a business arrangement, a duty to h

been wrong t

e stepped in. It had been hard to ignore the tension in his gaze, the way he stiffened when she glanced his way. But she

oved on.

by her own thoughts. She wasn't used to this-being the center of attention in such a bold way. In the past, she had always played the supportive wif

low as he spoke. "You're doing gr

r mind was elsewhere.

ainst her arm, a reassuring

king her head. "It'

ling it better than most would. Esp

f reason when her world had been falling apart. But even as he stood beside her now, offering his support, she cou

adn't meant to care. But she couldn't stop herself. There was a part of her that still ached at the thought of him, s

he had pushed her away, befo

focus on her fut

ed her back to the present.

odding. "Yes, I'm fin

oughtful. "You're stronger than you realize,"

Strength wasn't the issue. She knew she was strong. But strength didn't

d remained distant. She was fully aware of Alejandro's presence, even though he had yet to reappear. And s

that overlooked the garden, the cool night air seeping in through the glass. The city lights g

abe

urned slowly, finding him standing just a few feet away,

her voice steady, tho

unsaid hanging in the air between them. Finally, he spoke, hi

r a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond. "T

is gaze never leavin

ed at her side, his hand resting lightly

ng dark and possessive flashed in his expression. But then h

what she wanted, wasn't it? To move on, to leave Alejandro behind. But standing here

t sure if she