nzo'

er, and making choices with absolute certainty. But as I sat in my office, a glass of whiskey

hey realized who I was, either tried too hard to plea

ce could either be an

being led out by Marco, his most trusted guard. She walked with purpose, her head high, c

the door pulle

me

nd Marco stepped i

"What do y

ost women would've been shaking in

as nervous. She j

dn't ask unnecessary questions, di

ber liquid in his glass. "She'll need to b

m. The boy had been through hell-losing his mother, growing up surrou

st easily. And I

e sticks around long enough,

estion, wasn't it? W

o handle Matteo's silence and his sudden bursts of defiance. Others were

la? She wa

idn't try to impress him. S

and set it down wit

Lopez thought she could handle my son, she w

n my home office, watching as Isabella arrived.

ulled back in a loose ponytail. No jewellery, no excessive makeup. Prac

she stepped inside. Her expression was caIm, but i could s

should b

rco led her into the living room. I

l business. "He knows you're coming, but

row. "I don't expect hi

ded toward the stairs. "Let's see if

silence. When they reached Matteo's ro

ing with wooden blocks. His dark curls were slightly mess

This is Isabella. S

th

a step closer.

l no

she only smiled slightly before kneeling a few feet away. She didn't

fingers precise. Then, without warning, he swiped h

a didn'

build it again?"

r, his dark eyes filled wit

eo rarely spoke to new people, and when he

ill the silence with empty words or try

ka

moment, then turned back to hi

I had seen dozens of nannies try and fail to ge

eally could

hadn't seen the

I reached the door, I heard Ma

going to

fr

t meant for me. It

She hesitated, just for a second, then m

aid softly.

ing a wooden block. His face was unreadable

in a long time, I fel

o

better than

y. And if Isabella Lopez was smart, sh

zed the kind of

it was