s mansion, my mind was fixated on

ever he returned from a business trip. But this one was different. Why? Because it

d the staff's greetings and headed straight t

d with Lorenzo, I swiftly locked the d

fluttered t

y are watching y

ck to the box, and my stomach dropped

e door nearly made m

ing my heels. I quickly slipped them off an

ut, hoping my voice soun

through me. It wasn't the cook which

id, his tone unreadable. "I told the cook not t

ast me, attempting t

asked casually, but there was somethi

he look

g?" I asked, stud

ze. "Not at all. I'll be in

hen can I get them?" I asked

tated for a moment

workers before, but was this how they all behaved? O

out of sight and quickly retrieved th

gain, scanning the words carefully. Then, I lifted the pi

n sent a flash of memo

od at my side that day, his voice steady as he guided me. I had reluctantly told h

and three... shoot." His

me back to the present. I grabbed my pho

ar

n thick in her voice. "My flight got delayed, a

ough it lacked warmth. "You don't

ked her pain, how she always put other

Sarah said, her voice softer now. "I

tes, some friends from the neighborhood..." Her voice trailed off, and Sarah could almost see her,

be strong for me,

e, but Elena didn't break. Not agai

e? You'd always be the one keeping me grounded, reminding me to eat, to stop stressing over exam

h. "Because you were terr

y turn to be there for you." She took a breath. "I'm coming tomorrow,

eavier. Then, finally, Elena

k something bigger than grief. But she wouldn't push

you up tomorrow," Elena s

Sarah replied soft

nt after Sarah hung up, letting the warmth o

nd lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. The weight of

ircling back t

last with Dante. The one that

disturbingly familiar. The way his eyes lingered on me, as

ran down

connection

my thoughts to quiet. But the questions wouldn't stop.

endering to the exhaus

me, his face remained-haun

t as I had instructed. He placed them on the t

ore hurrying toward the kitchen. The scent of garlic and herbs filled the air

canning the dishes laid out.

e minutes," th

dress. Five minutes. That was all the time I

l

om the living room, Sar

oment I stepped out of the kitchen, Sarah launched herself at me, her arms wr

d one bit-her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders just as perfectly a

ion back to the present as she glanced around th

ed, spinning around to take it all in

ed Lorenzo, though she had met him on cou

head in amazement. "I knew Lorenzo had money, but I had no idea he was this filt

her excitement faltered when she n

turning apologetic. "I know you're still gr

rcing a reassuring smile. "Come

upstairs, grateful for the excuse to shift the conv

n her room, I quickly headed to mine, hoping to go through some of th

documents. Though several required my att

p. My breath hitched as my gaze traveled down the page, stopping at two familiar names

led as I scann

roulette business... be

disbelief washed over me. My late husband h

my lips as a chilli

d Lorenzo to claim full

efore I knew it, my legs gave out beneath me. I sank to the floor, the