r mind. The humiliation, she felt it all burning in her chest. She couldn't say any

ing, his shallow breaths and the beeping machines the only sounds in

r thoughts swirled, bitter and restless. She did

he said

. She didn't know him, but the way h

his dark eyes lingering on

her pulse racing. Who was he?

, and the sting of the events of

know

casually into his pockets. "We've met be

blank. "I don't think-" she began, but then something abou

"It was at your wedding," he added. "Though I wouldn't

unfamiliar faces among the sea of guests. She couldn't recall much about him, bu

ustered. "I do remember now. I'm sor

easily, his gaze steady on her.

till unsure why he had approache

said smoothly. "Nothing too

ion weighing heavily on her. "Just

. You look like you could use a break." He tilted his head slightly. "How about coffee thi

sudden proposal. "I... don't think th

as he leaned in just slightly. "Why? Are

on of Luca, her expression harde

light and unbothered. "Just curious. But if coffee's to

frozen, watching him disappear down the hallway. She felt unsettled, her thoughts racing.

ection she had been heading, a st

echoing in the vast space. She slipped off her shoes, trying to shake off t

staircase, Luca's voice

're