**Elena’s POV**
Stefano turned, catching sight of me lingering by the stairs. The thought of turning back flashed through my mind, but my feet wouldn’t move.
Crap. Of course, they knew each other.
“Elena, come here,” he commanded.
He motioned again. “I want you to meet someone.”
I forced my legs to move, one slow, awkward step at a time. Every muscle in my body felt tense, and I kept my eyes on the floor, just trying to breathe.
Dante stood beside Stefano, appearing perfectly at ease, as if he’d always been part of this place and this life, while I felt like the outsider.
He looked at me, and for a second I waited for something, anything, but his eyes stayed blank, no flicker, no sign he remembered me at all, just a stranger standing before me.
He offered a polite smile. “You mu
