109
Rosa’s POV
The ballroom gleamed under the light of a thousand chandeliers, a dazzling display of power and wealth that screamed my family’s influence. These events were routine—a stage for alliances to be maintained, deals to be whispered over glasses of champagne, and enemies to be assessed with polished smiles.
Tonight, though, I wasn’t just representing my father. I was testing Allesio.
I stood near the entrance, wearing a floor-length black gown that hugged me in all the right places, exuding the quiet confidence that was required in this world. Guests filtered in, their faces familiar: allies, rivals, and those who played the dangerous game of pretending to be neither.
Then, there he was. Allesio.
He walked through the arched doors like he owned the place, dressed in a tail
