nquility, a life where her family name did not bear the weight of her father's scandals. Viktor Petrov had left a trail of destruction in his wake, but Sofia

reciated her for her kindness and seriousness, but Sofia remained reserved, keeping the others at a reasonable distance. F

y gala hosted by one of the gallery's patrons, her phone vibrate

u I'm not coming to this

ortant to you, to the gallery. Imagine the opportunities, the co

for insisting until she gave in.

tracting attention. Upon arriving, she was immediately assailed by smiling faces, worldly conversations, and gl

cause. His target was clear: Sofia Petrov. When he finally caught sight of her, a cold satisfaction passed over his fa

care her, not yet. He intended to come closer slowly, to intr

a chatty gallery owner who was telling her about a recent exhibition. She nodded politely, but her mind was

ters away. He was tall, impeccably dressed, with a magnetic presence that seemed to dominate the space

s step sure but not threatening. When

Romano. Nice

shook his hand. "S

ign of recognition, although he savored it inwardly. She had just

ng it, an almost imperceptible sm

d in London for years. And you,

ith an amused smile. "But London

lightly. "It's a

fully, but it only served to increase his interest. He hande

n as fascinating as you d

try to represent my gallery, even if this kind

ou say? Are y

behind the scenes. I show

he could sense that she was holding back parts of herself. He set his gl

ery sometime. I'd like to see

ghtly. "Are you i

by nature. And I know some

There was an intensity in his eyes, a confidence that seemed a

ve you," she finally replied,

ly closing around her. Their first meeting had been brief but e

already busy planning their next exchange. There was nothing haphazar

what he wanted. And what Alessandro wanted was more than just her trust. It was his redemption, his rev