Beneath crimson's vows

la perched on the hill above the city, Leonardo Vitale stood at the window, his reflection distorted in the glass. He was thirty-eight, sharp-jawed, with cold green

il

ong, and dangerously naive. Their paths crossed at a charity ball, a neutral event where masks were worn both literally and metaphoric

ed with lace and laughter, Sicilian aristocracy mingling with law and shadow. Elena had worn a crimson gown that clung to her like a promise. She'd caught his eye

from afar for his incorruptible stance, even if that stance had once endangered his fam

ass of Chianti on her silk clutch, a mumbled apology, then laughter - the real kind,

troduced hi

uced herse

ons, no law, no vendettas. Only man an

e soft scent of roses reminded him of his mother, long buried and forgotten by most. He lit a cigarette, shielding th

hiding," she said wi

e," Leonar

s, Leo?" she aske

rri

Good. I'm tir

losophy and regret. Leonardo left that garden with

er, he had h

e orchids and a note: Forgive the rain.

vening, demanding to

r the trut

: The Rival

approximately 1,000+ words. Would you like me to continue chapter-by-chapter now,

la perched on the hill above the city, Leonardo Vitale stood at the window, his reflection distorted in the glass. He was thirty-eight, sharp-jawed, with cold green

il

ong, and dangerously naive. Their paths crossed at a charity ball, a neutral event where masks were worn both literally and metaphoric

ed with lace and laughter, Sicilian aristocracy mingling with law and shadow. Elena had worn a crimson gown that clung to her like a promise. She'd caught his eye

from afar for his incorruptible stance, even if that stance had once endangered his fam

ass of Chianti on her silk clutch, a mumbled apology, then laughter - the real kind,

troduced hi

uced herse

ons, no law, no vendettas. Only man an

e soft scent of roses reminded him of his mother, long buried and forgotten by most. He lit a cigarette, shielding th

hiding," she said wi

e," Leonar

s, Leo?" she aske

rri

Good. I'm tir

losophy and regret. Leonardo left that garden with

er, he had h

e orchids and a note: Forgive the rain.

vening, demanding to

r the trut