ance and seduction for the masquerade ball. My blood-red dress was stunning, and the matching mask conceale

transformation and smiled with approval. “You loo

ou, Federica. Tonight is the night when I'll show everyone that I deser

nce of the night for me. “Be careful, C

as waiting for me. From there, he introduced me to over five hundred masked guests who fille

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the star

ed to me. I smiled and waved to the crowd, grate

eek, but his lips brushed against my ear as he whispered surp

alvatore's statement. “What do you mean, D

. “You need to understand your place, Catarina. This

erstand his motivations. “But why? I've done everyth

or you to finally understand where your place is and who is in

ll the guests, I couldn't argue with him. I reluctantly nod

with guests, dancing, and trying to enjoy the night. However, Don Salvatore's words echoed in my mind, remindi

*

termination and respect I had held for so long disappeared, replaced by a thirst

flutes, martinis, wine, and any drink that came my way, and I drank without hesitation. I threw myself onto the dance floor, where the glitterin

erned about my state. Fioreza asked where Dante, the older adoptive brother whom they believed was the most

he'll come to my party.

lizing I was already a bit drunk, asked if I w

Elma. Just enj

ic pulsed in my ears. I danced as if there were no tomorrow, losing myself

would never be seen as a true part of the family. But at that moment, I didn't want to think about it. I wanted to forget

ight, I would show everyone, especially Don Salvatore, who Catarina Piromalli was. It was my way of pro

*

ustrations and the sense of rejection that had taken over me. As I maintained this defiant posture, I noticed the presence of a tall man dressed in a black suit and wearing a

ith a tipsy smile. “Want a sip?” I asked, imagining that

out a bewildering laugh. “I don't think it would

I bumped into one of the guests, and before I realized it, the man in the black suit grabbed my arm and p

, but I wasn't ready to give up my night of rebellion. I turned to him and said wit

wasn't willing to be controlled by anyone else that night. With a dismissive g

y wooden bench and sat down, allowing the nighttime breeze to clear some of the drunkenness that

driven by the combination of alcohol and challenge. I leaned in his direction and, with a mischievous smile on my lips

lcohol in my veins, and took his lips in a fiery kiss. It was a kiss that was a mixture of challenge, reb

n's response was immediate, his lips responding to mine with unexpected passion. The world

and faded quickly, leavi

kiss, hoping the man wouldn't judge me for my im

welcome,

n electric shock. I turned to look at the man

whispered,

It was Dante, the older adoptive brother, whom I believed hate

my surprise. “Surprise, Bambi. It looks lik

een turned upside down that night, and th