phin

ants of breakfast was shattered by the sou

tti, Isabella's aunt, marched into the room flanked by two heavily armed Moretti *Soldiers*. Her chin was tilted in

even offer a respectful nod to Don Silas. Instead, her venomous gaze landed on me. "Did yo

gnation at the blatant disrespect. "Lucia, this

terrupted coldly, her eyes slicing through Lena.

the air, a blatant

his future-was walking out the door broke whatever fragile composure

etic desperation that made my stomach turn. "Don't do this. Stay.

th her?" she sneered, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "Like you dealt with Arabella? Why did you even bo

plunged into a d

darting frantically toward his father. I kept my expression perfectly blank, though my heart hamm

cia commanded, grabb

he exit. It was time

ith a sickeningly sweet concern that stopped her dead in her tracks. "T

a terror so profound it stripped away her arrogance. "You're

pregnancy during a mourning period wasn't just a s

ocent surprise. "Oh, Lena, surely you knew? A mothe

na, her eyes blazing with betraya

caught Lena's eye. A silent, calculating exchange passed between the two older

hardening into stone. "Yes," Lena declared,

hing against her aunt's grip.

ilence was a damning confirmation. Isabella lunged forward and sla

, and walked slowly toward the center of the room. The she

dangerous rumble that left no room for argument. "It is family bu

er!" Lucia hissed,

er. "Escort Lucia Moretti off m

n Isabella and her aunt. Lucia's face contorted with pure rage as she

g Isabella's fate. She stood trembling in the center of the room, s