ella

ip. My fever had broken, leaving me weak and hollowed out, but when the summons came f

spresso, stale cigar smoke, and the cloying sweetness of lilies. Dark walnut panel

Caterina, the wife of another *Capo*, sat on the velvet s

ks, effectively erasing my presence. I stood near the door, a ghost in my own home, while they resumed their en

, looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "Nonna Sofia, why did

glances. Sofia, sitting in her high-backed armchair like a que

easure) Sofia sighed, her voice dripping wit

Sofia had just validated Livia as the true victim and branded me the usurper. I kept my fa

others with a wave of her hand. "Leave us

otherly warmth vanished from Sofia's face. Her s

d, her voice a harsh, unforgiving rasp. "You have been here two years, Is

t of me. She knew exactly why Julian wasn't in my

miliation with a sneer, "you should ask Livia how to b

d to protect her bloodline. I simply bowed my head slightly, accepting the lashings in sil

snapped, turning her att

ck Persian carpet muffling my footsteps. The air he

zz

ing the frozen gardens. She linked her arm through m

ng with malice. She casually adjusted her sleeve, making sure I saw the new, glittering diam

t woman would know when she's not wanted. Why

restraint. I yanked my arm out of her grasp, turning to face her fully

y whisper that echoed in the empty hall. "If he's so desperate to be with y

smile f

d have found a way. Or... was his love for you not strong enough to out