g moment, the black ink slicing thro

quickly. I'm not d

smooth surface. Something about the way he'd written it sent a slow chill th

s a w

, every glance-never truly let go of something they wanted. And if last night had taug

ad fo

of woman who waited

moment she stepped inside, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Tousled dark waves cascaded over her sh

ia sc

st night was exactly what it was meant to be-no strings, no emotio

ash away the remnants of him, of the night, of the thi

tepped out, she w

. Ready to disappear

silent invitation-or perhaps a test. She smirked as she slid it over her bare skin, rolling up the sleeves and letti

heels, grabbed her clutch

the hall, a pair of sharp

s stance rigid, his expression unreadable. He was tall, built

"Don't tell me you're

. "Mr. Moretti asked

rse, h

tti I don't need an escort. I k

ove, his gaze st

"Fine. Lead th

levator, his movements precise and disciplined. She foll

stepped inside, the air shifted. Valeria felt the weight of his scr

"Something

ndering how long you thi

ade he

e sleek, mirrored space. Valeria tilted her

"I just don't stick around for the

ld feel the weight of his judgment,

veal the lavish lobby. Sunlight streamed through the massi

De Luca," the man said

didn't l

dn't n

this w

t. A fleeting, int

ver see Alessand

she th

bathroom mirror, gripping the edges of the sin

y test sat o

iti

ath uneven, her stomach twisting in a way t

s couldn't

o change, to rewrite the reality she refused to accept. But the tr

gna

his

at the door ma

ler

impatient. "Are you dying in th

orcing the panic down as

nto her face, her dark eyes narrowing. "

t a breathless

hat's impressive." She paused, then her eyes

expressio

, s

ging a hand through her hair.

off the counter like it might explode i

t freak

ly? Because your voice is about t

his is not happening. This was supposed to be a one-nigh

tated. "Doe

ffed. "Of c

not planning

le

u, but this is not something yo

pinching the bridge of her nose. "I know that, Bianca. Bu

"What do you mea

a hesi

actually told Bianca

pt close to her chest. And sleeping with a man who practically oozed danger, who had

lity pressing down on her, she

slowly, meeting

er voice quieter now. "It

a bli

r face drain

ssandro

tight smile. "T

al." She ran a hand through her hair. "You slept w

" Valeria

She started pacing. "You're pregnant with the heir to

cut in. "Because I

pped pacin

don't want that life. I don't want him thinking h

t the doubt in her e

small, terrified part o

tti was not the kind of

found out abo

ver let her