erday, her first day in this house, had been nothing short of chaotic. Dante had drilled her relentlessly, teaching her a multitude of chores: how to clean the flo

ettis, had a tiny balcony. She creaked the door open and stepped outside. The icy morning air wrapped around her, making her shiver as goosebumps prickled beneath her light co

ntion was drawn to a convoy of expensive black cars approaching one of the gates. They glided smoothly into the estate, their engines pur

g out, he stood for a while, talking to the men accompanying him. His back was to Isabella, and the conversation appeared casual, though the early hour made it

e didn't scan the area or hesitate-his gaze went straight to her. For a solid minute, their eyes held, his expression unreadable. I

ut as if he might fly in and confront her. Her heart pounded wildly, her face flushed with embar

lex said to one of the men before h

her courage, she hurried out and rushed toward the staircase. Just as she reached it, she nearly

adn't noticed her-or perhaps as if he intended to walk right through her. Isabella'

caped his lips-soothing and gentle like the earlier breeze, y

closer. As he moved to drape it over her shoulders, she fli

o the large window nearby, which cast a soft, dim glow on them. Isabella's head remaine

to meet her gaze. "Can you talk?" he as

in her throat. She hesitated before no

u going so ear

ammered, her voic

ly, a flicker of amusement crossi

n," she corrected hast

leep. You might disturb them," he in

ing past her. Isabella turned, her mind scrambling, and instinctively started toward the room Caterina

oulder. His hand gestured toward another door-his room. "Thi

ed. Her heart raced, confusion swirling with unease. Why would he want her to go there? Bu

pounding in her chest. She hadn't been inside his room before, and when he opened

its crystal accents catching the soft light and casting delicate rainbows across the room. The floor was polished to a gleaming shine, and a plush rug sprawled beneath an enormous bed with a headboard carved with elegant detailing. A seating area wa

of her gown nervously. Everything about the room screamed weal

waiting for her response, he walked to the center of the room and sat

ively, feeling like an intrude

is wrist. His tone was neutral, as though he were discussi

oken tension. Carefully, she reached for his wrist, her fingers brushing against his skin as she unclasped the watch. He

was to him. Her own nerves made every second stretch, and yet A

ped back quickly, clutching it in he

toward the corner. Isabella obeyed, sett

toward a wardrobe on the other side of

e hurried, and her hands shook slightly as she opened the wardrobe. Inside, the neatly arranged clothes and luxurious fa

unbuttoning his shirt. The crisp white fabric hung loosely from his shoulders, exposing a glimpse of toned muscles and s

or, clutching the robe tightly in her hands. "Your... yo

her, his expression unreadable, and took the robe from her outstretched hands. "T

ill fixed on the floor. "I-I'll leav

o go, Alex's voice

door handle, unsure whether to feel re