rson she didn't recognize, it was merely a female figure wearing a navy blue gown, uncomplicated yet graceful, nothing f

job done and then exiting silently. All the same, nervousness c

your own funeral." Sofia stood in the doorw

Isabella asked, maki

ppear

m f

ed to buy i

dn't know what emotions she had. Could it be fear? Maybe. Or perhaps som

, she stood as his bride. Naïve. Full of hope but still ut

id. "You work on the painting

only thing

you se

a moment, then grabbe

elegant outfits trooping gracefully into the venue with giggles bouncing around and camera shutters clicking. The De Luca Foundation Gala b

entrance alongside the event workers. There were no cameras or n

marble floors radiated and columns rose high. Their murmurs buzzed across the ballroom, yet Isabella hardly noticed any of it,

her immediatel

so grateful you took the offer" she

dded. "It's

as she could see just how fragile and beautiful it was, the gentle brushst

is was her world. Artwork never misled, has never cau

e curator said, step

d out her tools; Cleaning brush, rag, cleaning solvent

the main ballroom making Isabella a

s inching closer behind her and the quiet murmur co

n crept down her spine. She knew this feeling; that sens

minance. His dark-coloured hair, slicked back crowned his handsome face with a strong jawlin

ely breathe as nei

zo De

e dangerous and those eyes?? They definitely remembered everything. The staff faded

er. He stopped just a few feet away but just close

e just studied her, as if mak

me his voice, low and

slammed in

straight. "Good evening

ssion, maybe amusement, disbel

" he replied, the words hung

llowed. "So

f questions and losses and now the woman who vanishe

ldn't recognize my own wife

hat wor

er voice. "I'm not

, eyes darkening. "Lega

e thudde

she said, turning back toward t

ve, he was not rough, but solid and just enough to stop

looked

enzo's voice was soft but utterly cert

hink you can w

's heart

never expected the weight of his sta

" she wh

moment, then released her wris

uietly. Then, after a pause, "Because when

me." he turned,returning

g became horribly clear to Isabella; escap

again? That mig