m, casting golden streaks across the marble floor. A soft knock on the

almost playful, as she stepped ins

turned from the window where she had

sion for a little fun," Alessia said, walking straight to the wardrobe and pulli

e you sure about thi

shoulder. "I already told her I'd be taking you out for

p, unsure. "And

Alessia cut in. "You don't n

ht, but years of being controlled mad

lder ivory dress with delicate lace

t. It was beautiful, but more revealing than w

offed. "Trust me, you'

ng her long curly hair, sweeping half of it up while leaving the rest to cascade in loos

ow

ena's shoulder. "If Lorenzo weren't an insufferable

then shook her head. "Lor

t about being sold by her parents into the Russo f

risk him doing so

, the better and easy f

ze sharpened

r racing nerves and to also conceal the fact she had lied. "Something about

with curiosity. "That's interesting. I thought you'd say someth

lently thanking the heavens that Alessia didn't catch

but dropped the subject. Instead, she s

aught off guard.

e the way you look at him. Or rather

e any feelings for him, if

row. "But you don'

dictable. But I think-deep down-he might n

a. So you have been

lena protested,

g Elena's hand. "Come on, let's

ith the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor, the

towering buildings, the endless movement

utside their family

"You look like a kid seeing t

"It feels that way. I

essia looped her arm through Elena's

it after outfit. The changing room quickly became a battlefield of fabric-silk, la

front of the mirror in a light blue dress. "Tell me something," Alessia said sudd

lightly as she smoothed

ression softe

self. "I spent most of my life locked away in my family's mansion. My

frowne

or existing." She let out a small laugh, but it lacked humor. "Victoria was the

ed. "I knew I didn't

her quickly. "Sh

e's actively trying to ruin your lif

lip. "She is s

ed. "You're t

Elena a

st off her jeans. "Enough about her.

, arms filled with shopping bags

ely down the busy sidewalks. Elena felt lighter than she had

he noti

ma

nding to be absorbed in his phone, but h

. Alessia notic

's wr

murmured. "He's be

slightly, her expression

t Elena's pulse had quickened. The city had felt so f

blocks, the

hakily. "Maybe

oment before giving her a

told a diff

, Elena couldn't shake the feelin

now is, who