ZO VI

the car, Giulia turned those stormy eyes on me. I could

napped, her voice sharp and accusing-like

. I've got everything under control." I said lamely, as though I expected her to ju

say when my father kept pushing for a grandchild? The man was old, tired, and clinging to legacy like it was air

ope! And for what? So you could play king in front of your castle? Newsflash, Lorenzo

r, jaw clenched. "And

I let her forget who held the leash here. She was the one who needed this arr

my voice dropping to a

d d*mn order. If you think you can afford the fallout of your father losing everything, be my guest and open that pr

eel. I knew she was holding back, biting on rage. An

pened the door, stepped out,

nted. Just as long as she re

*

M R

eam into her arm, her reflection was calm-too calm. I stood by the dresser, fumbling

mething had stolen her voice. She barely said a wo

ybe I wasn't ready to meet her where she

wasn't dead and had come

as I supposed

y to walk out like I didn't exist, something inside m

! I sur

s silent war?" I asked, my voice lower than I i

led and said quietly, "I'm hanging out w

a slap. She was still

han I wanted to sound. "I'm sorry for

n know what else I should be apologiz

way she used to tease me when I took

nted my K

t the room, she brushed

g touch I wished

asn't going to be

*

he office, Faith, my secret

waiting in your office, sir," she said

sly? And you're just telling me now? Don't

her eyes dropping as if the floo

e door handle, turning it slowly. The second I stepped

ing inside

ained from

gs lo

t d

o. It cou

ke it had on Camilla. Even the diamond chain arou

Camilla myself-custom design, one of a kind. I gave it

. L

shattered the

ed too easily at the edges. "I'm sorry... uhm...

shake. Without raising my eyes to meet he

s professional, but my gaze wouldn't leave her. My brain screamed coincidence... Any woman could own a r

pits d

d uncomf

Lorenzo said, his tone unreadable. "N

" The room felt

alright,

ce was soft

a few days ago, I was okay seein

roat. "I'm fine

er in front of me. Focus. Busines

I continued, "and I see you want our p

e

conversation, my phone v

id quickly, alrea

d" Loren

ssage popped up-no name, no caption.

ped i

heart felt like

sus

, needing to be absolutely sure

I wa

nd a gag covered her mouth, her head swing

loded in

blue flare dress-the one

rtbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out everything around me

ptly, trying to

e problem? Where are you off to?" Giulia

ry. My mind wasn't here anymore-it was

reached o

I sn

uch away as if it burned me. My whole body trembled with fur

she was obviously startled, b

nzo barked, risi

s too

ady out of

at rattled the walls, sprinted to my c

ne roare

eatbelt, no dir

Our be

or the pounding in my chest. All I knew w

eded to

a