LLA

st my chest as Lorenzo

t supposed t

Vincenzo instinctively took few steps

the still-open window. As always, his face was carved from stone-e

r of his mouth

past him, but his hand shot

isn't it?" he said, vo

urprised? Lorenzo came and went like a ghost, always when it suit

renzo!" I snapped

slowly, like he wanted me

flicking to Vincenzo. "So I figured... why not join in?

of self-control in me not to slap

, arrogant, and impossible. And yet, I

living with a ghost that on

! Re

t was a deal in exchange of having my life and f

inside. I'm tired." I just said but

were the most casual thing in the world. "You don't mi

ook on his

I raised a hand to stop him.

married for three years bu

ing?

like strangers under one roof, colliding only when his temp

uldn't give him t

tench of alcohol on his breath. And su

in the most

him understand nothing is ever happening. "Let's slee

faltered j

was laced with tension. I knew it was killing him to

led the way

myself in the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I stepped out, my hair d

the couch, swirling a gl

already, Giulia," he said, lik

ze mi

in the air, hea

his words, but he just kept staring into

l... a quiet day to respect her memory. But no, he had to start one of his little f

fully him speaking-it was the alcohol. He probably

hing hollow and aching. He'd never mentioned h

ach other except it was necessary let alone

matters?

id quietly, slippi

toward me from where he sat."He said to meet at 10

s it. Not a

her storm. But as sleep began to pull me under, his wor

ning, I woke

ot beside me, not i

e as I saw the time

ped, already rus

n bother waking me. He knows how terrifying

ss than ten minutes. My fingers flying acr

T THE PAR

hed outside. My white, sleek RV car

ightly unbuttoned as he opened the rear passenger door w

nd, he zoomed off the momen

The place was every bit as grand as the rumors had it-massive, rega

rode toward the sitting area, the sound loud against the sil

renzo and his father, they were in the mid

felt like walking stra

adable."Weren't you sick and said yo

Lorenzo. He didn't look at me, he just stared blankly ahead, avo

ase the tension."Yes... I wasn't feeling great. But I

is was, he'd have t

y handkerchief."Just sit. I've got somewhere to b

d slid in next to Loren

me."Actually, you should've stayed home an

onfused. "My

out a surprise gift."Yes... My grandchild

ped pointedly

my heart crashing

in

sterday," Marco continued smo

blurted, eyes snapping

wouldn't

of his d*