e'd found back into the pile of old paperwork just as Lorenzo De Luca stepped in ful

for?" he asked, his v

. "Nothing important," she said lightly, turning to face him. He d

"We have somewhere to go. You should go home a

picious . He didn't answ

g to conclusions at this point won't be profitable. She had to find more information. She return

of the car, the chill in the

ei

ms crossed, face twisted in disdain. Na

se?" she spat." my brother does

t her, unwilling to talk to her. But Leila g

to you, you sp

taggered back, one hand to her cheek, ey

your arm, those high school antics are ov

u bi

la l

e shattered. A chair toppled. The mansion echoed with the chaos. The serva

alie's brutal hits. Both women heaved, breathing hard and furious. Natalie's hair was a me

won't be so merciful." she growled and went up the stairs. Lucia

nto the armchair. Lucian bent beside he

this, if Lorenzo finds o

st! "she protested.

eal

looke

ing our house. I don't want to keep seeing her

sy, Leila,"

when Anita entered with fresh clothes. The young maid helpe

Natalie said, watching

rst fight I've patched up. I bet Leila is wor

you? It's nice to see a familiar face wi

k so. I don't really remember. I'

"How did you end

housekeeper took me in when Mr. De Luca's parents wanted to send me to an orphanage.

ng haunting in her eyes. She could relate.

ing my personal maid? " sh

ed, surprise

than me" she said. Anita squealed and hugged her.

's o

he butler's voice called, "M

wed the butler downstairs. Lorenzo stood by the door, sharp in

pping closer, his hand reaching

owed, a muscle ticking in his jaw, but he said

ut when they arrived, N

ndlelit, quiet. Was this a business di

at him. "W

rk. "I'm taking my wife o

s widene

aned towards her. "Because

e countered. He smil

. " Her hands tingle

ng golden shadows around them. She watched him as he order

eaned in. "Anita... she told me

Died during childbirth. My parents didn't wa

re ever since?"

house. Quiet, forgotten, but al

nhuman way to refer

raised

. "I want her to b

ed at her, ey

compensation for bringing you here wi

erything dosen't have to be

. " but it does

-what she'd seen, what she now suspected-bu

his charming."

mer

ssy magazine, all red silk and cold l

l dinner with my wife as you can see. " Lorenzo sa

fum

urred. "You haven't even consummated the marriage. Is it going

e. The air tu

e was unreadable. He reached out and took Natalie's hand. H

rtant " he turned to Natalie. " Let's go

th hitched. Was

rk faltered. She

enzo.

dn't a

and led Natalie out of the restauran

u said that right? " she

her a laz

I wa

d. And sat b

firmly on her. As if trying to prevent her from running. Th

ie. How is it

ie pan