a reluctant countdown. She didn't know what Alessandro wanted this time, only that he'd sent for her-a message curtly delivered through the house staf

, steeling herself. Every encounter with Alex left her with a lingering bitterness, a

arp, cutting through the si

didn't look up, didn't acknowledge her presence beyond that single command. The room was dimly lit, a shadowed sanctuary

d. "You want

ed, still not lifting his gaze. "I don'

n her, but she quickly suppressed i

is gaze cold and assessing. "I n

e he used. She had learned quickly that, with A

," she replied, keep

hands with a faint smirk. "Because it seems to me

humiliation he so often seemed determined to provoke

ow. "I don't recall putting

made that clear," she shot back, her voice t

in his eyes. He leaned forward, folding his hands on the

her tone tight. "Believe m

e hanging between them. She held his gaze, refusing to l

as if conceding a point. "Then

rrow

"There's a gala at my grandfather's e

e some shameful secret. The thought of facing his family, his world, felt daunting-and yet, a small part of her felt

dled. His eyes held no warmth, no hint of ki

he word falling fla

rning back to his papers as though

ent, a hint of anything beyond his cold, clinical indifference. But he remained focu

as she reached the door. She turned b

one as dismissive as ever. "I won't have my

her expression neutral. "I wouldn't dream of it," she

n his work, as though her presence had be

empty hallway. She should have known better than to expect anything different, but the pain

ure leaning against the wall near the gran

aced with a mocking sweetness. "Having a li

gaze. The other woman's expression was smug, a glint of satisfaction

re?" Emilia asked, kee

er tone light but her eyes cold. "Alex and

refused to give Vanessa the sati

ple dress with thinly veiled contempt. "You know, he's not u

he forced herself to hold Vanessa's gaze, refusing to let her

"Careful, Emilia. Alex may tolerate your presence, but don't think for

, her voice steady, "I'm

, Emilia saw a flicker of anger behind the other woman's poised f

may play the dutiful husband for now, but sooner or later, he'll tire of th

e hammering as she met Vanessa's

and strode down the hallway, her heels clicki

rious, humiliating situation she'd been forced into. Her fists relaxed slowly, and she took a

rcumstances beyond their control. But that knowledge didn't make it any easier to endure the constant reminders of

licker to life within her. She might be trapped, powerless to change the terms of this

she would find a w