Golden morning light flooded the villa through the expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the cool marble floors and casting intricate patterns of shadow. Mara sat at the elegantly set breakfast table, her coffee untouched and cooling in front of her, steam dissipating into the air. Isla darted around her, her voice a low murmur as she spoke of errands and laundry, her energetic presence barely registering with Mara. Instead, Mara’s gaze was fixed on Damon.

Damon strode into the ...