The De Villa estate stood on the highest point of the city, a sprawling mansion of white stone and dark glass, surrounded by manicured gardens and high iron gates that seemed to separate it entirely from the world below. As Adrian’s car passed through the gates and swept up the long, curved driveway, Sophia felt the familiar, faint throb in her chest—the echo of old memories, the warning bells of her instincts. Every tree, every statue, every curve of the road felt known, as if her mind recognized the place even when her conscious thoughts did not.
Adrian stepped out first, offering his hand to help her from the car. When she stood beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, he looked at her with such pride that it almost made her forget why they were truly there. To everyone watchin
