ns, but the atmosphere was oppressive, as if trapped in a labyrinth of cold luxury. His gaze rested on the large glass door that led to a balcony overlooking the ci

he loneliness that struck her, althoug

shiver, not because of the text, but because of the tone it carried. She tu

his deep voice cutting throu

straight towards her, closing the door behind him with calm firmness. He stood

t the situation as it is. » He stood there, watching her every reaction with the acuity

k at him that way, not right away. But the control he exercised ove

to understand that here, everything depends on control. If you try to defy it, you will only collapse under the weight of what you h

ted this deal because I had no choice, Rafael. But there are limits. I'm not a pawn in your

manly perfume that almost suffocated her. He stared at her for a long time, his gaze as sharp as a knife, then, in an almost imperceptible breath, whispered: "Neve

unsettling recognition. She knew that he was not just a simple businessman, that he was not

let him have total contr

stions, shifty glances and heavy silence. But whe

indows, huge and empty rooms, almost like a museum frozen in time. Ariana felt uncomfortable as soon as she crossed the threshold. There was no warmth here, no signs of li

le discomfort emanating from his wife. They stopped in a large, bright living room, yet devoid of any

ed. "But this is where I work. And here, everything must remain under control. » He approached her,

moved forward, observing a slightly ajar door at the other end of the living room. Rafael followed her with his eyes, but made no move to stop her. I

e desk, a black leather armchair, and files scattered on the table. There was nothing particularly shocking, but t

s not your busi

promising. He hadn't moved, but he gave off this aur

low voice, almost a whisper. "Wh

e I have enemies, Ariana . And here is where they can't reach me. It's not a house, it's a fortress. And everything you see, everything

of truth, a realization. She was no longer just Rafael Moretti's wife, she was the key to a larger secret, to a silent

yet, but what had just been revealed, everything that Rafael hid behind this m