Tabitha’s POV
The soft chime of the clock echoed through the room as I sat by the window, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the floor. My mind raced with possibilities, each one more intriguing than the last. Fabrizio had left me with a cryptic promise—something about a surprise when he returned. Knowing him, it could be anything.
I glanced at my reflection in the glass, the excitement in my eyes betraying my calm exterior. Over the weeks, I had grown accustomed to the unpredictability of Fabrizio’s world. Yet, each moment with him still held an air of mystery, a thrill that kept me on edge.
The sound of the front door opening pulled me from my thoughts, my heart quickening as Fabrizio’s footsteps echoed down the hall. I stood, smoothing the fabric of my dress, trying to com
