epped in, clutching the hem of her sweater as if it could shield her from the weight of everything s

on?" the w

r head. "Just

rs across a keyboard. "Standard

heavy now, like they'd absorbed every ounce of rejection from the morning. The wo

back-tired eyes, wind-ruffled hair, and a blank expression

s, and soft jazz humming from unseen speakers. She dropped her bag on the chair a

ne c

check

the morning pacing the room, trying not to scroll through social media, trying not to wonder what Bella was doing.

belong in

neve

in atmosphere made her glance over. Two men entered-both in sharp suits, clea

and far too calculating for someone so young. He wasn't handsome in the

't noti

rse he

eaned in, murmured something. The man-who Aria would later learn was Matteo Ricci, billionaire CEO of the Ricci

drink. The last thing she needed was to embarrass herself in

vening, Aria

ther a

nkindly, but not warmly

the ache in her chest said othe

was a

r," her mother said.

cour

f you were s

nked. "S

t you know how she is-sensitive

wer. There was

lly, sweetheart. Bella's always had a bit

Aria sai

few days. Let

ur

at the ceiling, the s

ffice, watching the city lights blink below like dying stars. H

. "They're on the brink. Vescar

ied. "That'll make

ing through with

vultures. They want a wedding. They want stabilit

want her? Th

coolly. "But if I have to play th

a's m

"She'd be a liability. Aria, on the

was a

et the

want a wife. He didn't believe in love. But if marriage was the price of peace, he wou

sed before Ari

t. Bella wasn't in sight, and her mother gave her a

better?"

" Aria

dinner tonight. Your

es

, unpacked her small bag, and tried not

ria sat at the far end of the table, quiet as ever. Bella swept in we

eo R

stiff

t. "A new chapter for our

atteo's eyes skimmed the room like he was scanning

ooked

e to her with a whisper. "He's

inked.

"You always think being quiet makes you myst

er mouth, but

as when Ma

word with

ent still.

eared his throa

it echoed too loud. Matteo gestured toward

were alone

now wh

he said

he said flatly. "But

eath c

inued. "This is business. Say yes,

was heavier

ed at him

. That makes you dangerous. And I

dn't a

e