aring at the stack of documents in front of

Francesca Colman", I read under

f beside me, a bundle of nervous e

omposed, his blue eyes watching me with a calm intens

oment pressed agains

tly, his voice like silk ag

to summon the courage to spe

. "I understand that your love was betrayed, your pride

my past came rushing back: Gianni's lies, my father's

vering, "understand this, I will pull

me in a way I wasn't prepared for. My lungs seemed to forget how to

he table, and gently wrapped his arms around me. "It's time

f feelings. Auntie Emilia beamed, practically glo

, squeezing my hand warmly. "Francesca, take

s she left, her figure disappearing thr

beautiful wife," he said, his hand brushing my arm in a gestu

car engine. Marco sat beside me, his presence filling the space effortlessl

d, yet there was something unspoken in his demeano

towards me he said, " We are just engaged for now, that's what we are going to tell them

d ahead, its stone facade both majestic and intimidating. The air was thick with th

efficiency, and voices echoed faintly from the grand hall. I felt

friend Peter, his posture relaxed b

arrying over the room. "She's lucky I even considered her a

rounding me as we stepped into view. The room quieted as we entered, every eye turning to us. G

ed me closer, our hands still

now Francesca Luciano" he announced

azes, the shock rippling through the room like a stone dropped in water. Gia

the room. "I expect everyone here to treat her with the r

e, though it was tinged with

ed coolly. "Do you have a

ling to find the right words. Peter muttered something

ne. "Are you ready to meet the rest of th

r of his family with the same cal