IN HER EYES

th catching in her throat. Her e

t of

er voice barely above wh

d didn't want to not after what

stepping out

the years between them coul

in," he gre

alled her that. It

her voice neutral, guarded. He

g he

g around the studio, taking in th

t invited to my prett

He reached out and gave her shou

. I'm prou

r. "You still haven't answered

the au

," he said, voice lowering. "Yo

ing what's going on? I

ou I was coming?" he add

d. "Hold on Catherine knew abo

w

es, the sharp edge in her glare

aised his hands slightly in def

ll you I was coming. I thought...

it's time to let go of the past.

an't shut me o

her patience thinning. "Dad, I'

attend to if

. "You can't walk away from m

r father, I de

do you have to say? I'm not c

or your protection.

struck. Still, he pressed on.

you lost An

Is that what you are calling it

ave come for me. Anne would sti

e in my

m seemed to still, even though n

d quietly. "To make amend. Lo

t want to protect you from what is

e h

t no reply came. Ju

. "What is coming?"

finish your business." He sai

of her

t painting was wrapped up and

uiet. She found him waiting in hi

nother attempt to manipulate he

at hoped to get a positive respo

as and tears. She k

Axel and his men know you are sti

e got you, and peeled every last

ons I want you to come hom

forgave him, not fully, not easi

el was a ruthless mafia lord t

ar was still there, etched deep in

never stopped tormenting her.

w she could not win this alone.

was still a ruthless mafia daught

a

r eyes, he was convinced that s

mming into

eared. She walked beside Estella

he doors b

ng the long silent drive. "Did

fixed on the

nd her," Cath

tella's eyes, at that moment sh

ll

und her on Instagram with the

le. She's got

t flinch. "No

r background." Catherine conti

she has been with Romeo Alnaldo

o be one of your father's chief

Romeo's been cheating on

lla watched in silence and disg

nother

ing," she

ld gather so far,

la no

hummed softly as it move

ront of Estella's residence. The

ed slightly

d, ma'am," he

hts; her mind still heavy with u

o her se

she instructed. "And listen car

le, every document that matters.

la

oom for Catherine to question

ine pu

t, exhaustion pressing into her b

e of water, and took a long sip.

a blanket; bri

message from Catherine lit up t

gram

ed the link as she made her way

hrough the profile

candid smiles, soft eyes, gracefu

curiosity that quickly de

a with her whore boyfriend. The

of jealousy flashed across Est

nother lady, but it quickly

be easy," s

. Not with the way he was snea

playing fair. Ella would be hers

rom ha

on the image of Ella and her pro

ss the screen as she compo

meo Alnaldo. His business deali

ightly. She needed to know how

and in her she needed a leve

ing the silence of her apartmen

sage from

orming slowly. Why was Estella s

of Anne, Estella had kept her

ion felt... different, unsettling

't need any

As cold and sharp as Estella co

a wasn't always easy, she was

re her strength, her drive,

g Estella's order

mail, attached a picture of Rome

o

ything you can dig

ing for a second. Whatever Estell

ready