There was something about the way silence clung to the estate that morning.
Like the air itself was holding its breath.
After last night—after that kiss—Sienna expected the world to feel a little different.
But the truth was, everything still looked the same.
The cold floors.
The polished walls.
The guards with blank expressions and twitching fingers.
But inside her—everything had shifted.
Luciano had kissed her like she was the last real thing in his ruined kingdom.
Like letting her in wasn’t just a mistake—it was damnation.
But he did it anyway.
And now?
Now the aftermath was beginning.
She sat at the edge of the marble staircase, barefoot, robe tied loose, hair still tangled from restless sleep.
She hadn’t seen him since that moment in the hallway.
Hadn’t heard his v
