ource, her breath hitched. Isadora-perfectly poised, perfectly unwanted-s

woman. "I took the liberty of inviting her," Claudia said, glanc

nothing. Beside Maeve, Luca remained silent, but she noticed th

. "I couldn't resist when Claudia told me there was a fami

ing, before turning back to Luca. "And you, Luca," she said with

g for some reassurance, but

at, gesturing toward an

te. Her hand brushed his arm as she passed, the touch light but intim

r, the tension reache

deceptively light. "I'm curious-has L

at Luca. "Not much," s

urving into a sharp smile. "Did you know,

low. She looked to Luca, but he kept his ga

Everyone thought their engagement was perfect. Two families coming together, shared goals, s

, silently pleading for some acknowledgment, but he rem

ce firm. His sharp glance at Claudia warned her

shaping the present, doesn't it?" She turned her gaze to Maeve, her expression almost pitying. "

settle her. "I'm learning quickly," she said, her

n amusement. "Good. It's

adaptable. She handled the pressures of being part of thi

through the tension, low an

e undeniable. Maeve turned to him, startled by

er the conversation back to safer ground.

pic. "He's still in a coma," she said quietly. "But

tone warm. "Family is everything. You've

ss the table, Isadora watched her with a faint, knowing smi

sults, and Luca's stoic silence had left her feeling utterly out of place. As the

d retreated to his study, and Claudia sat sipping her wine, a sat

ht," Isadora said softly

ately, his jaw tightening. "Wh

ce light but her eyes heavy with meaning. "And hones

come," he replied, h

our wife might think?" She stepped closer, her perfume wafting through th

rkened, but he

n them. "We had something real, Luca," she whispered, her voic

ing for just a moment. "It's over, Is

out that tension in your eyes?" she chal

gaze hard and unreadable. "Becau

said, a small, defiant s

ingers grazing his jaw before she turned away, her

. He hadn't wanted any of this-hadn't wanted to be reminded of the past, of a time that was

nd. The kiss that never happened was still fresh in her mind, her eyes burning with

itterly, her stomach churning with the realizat

is thoughts seemingly elsewhere. Maeve's heart ached as she turned and fled from th

knew was that she couldn't stay there, not wi

had been foolish to think there was a place for her here. A place in his life, in his w

ting to keep the tears at bay. I'm strong