VITO
It had been a week since the gala, and I could finally breathe. Ortensia's unease that night had stayed with me longer than I expected. Most girls would have flourished under attention, flashing smiles at cameras, hanging on a wealthy man's every word.
But not Ortensi, she had that resistance. She didn't fake comfort or excitement. And I couldn't stop wanting to protect her from the world, She was real and it made me want her even more.
Ortensia stepped inside the living room, dragging exhaustion in her every movement.
"Hey," she said softly, sinking into the sofa like the world had just pulled her under. She looked tired in a way that made me want to wrap her in my control.
"How's Rico doing?" I asked casually, but she froze, her eyes narrowing in that way that made
