Alessia’s POV

The murmur of voices drifted faintly down the hallway, threading its way through the heavy silence of the house. I had been pouring myself a glass of wine in the sitting room, but the sound made me pause. Vicenzo’s tone was distinct—deep, controlled, carrying that casual arrogance that came so naturally to him. Yet there was another voice, one that stirred something sharper inside me.

I moved quietly, my heels clicking against the marble with deliberate precision. As I drew ...