LOGINBella’s POV"Moretti?" I stared at him, the name catching in my throat.He smiled. "Yes. Does the name ring a bell?""No, it's not that." I shook my head quickly. "I've just... never met another Moretti before.""Really?" He tilted his head. "Who was the first?"I opened my mouth to answer — then stopped.This was a Moretti function. Mentioning Matteo, the man my husband killed, in front of a stranger who shared his last name? Not wise."No one," I said. "It's no one."He studied me for a second, then nodded as if he didn’t believe a word of it.“Well,” he said, glancing toward the door behind me, “based on what is happening in that room, I don’t think the people inside would appreciate being interrupted.”My eyes drifted toward the door.The muffled sounds coming from inside were enough to make my cheeks warm.“Probably not,” I admitted.He chuckled. "At parties like this, forget you came with a date. There are plenty of people to fill that void."I noticed his tone. Flirty. Too flir
Bella’s POVI watched her take him away.The red dress. The way she touched his arm. The way he smiled — not his usual arrogant smirk, but something real. Something that made my chest tighten.I told myself I didn't care.But I kept watching.She led him toward the bar, her red hair swinging, her laugh carrying across the room. Zayden followed like he had forgotten I existed.I hated that I noticed. And then after a while she took him by the hand and led him through a narrow corridor until they got to the door at the end and walked in.I turned away. Looked around. Nico and Tomás were gone too. Vanished into the crowd like smoke.Now I was standing alone at a gala full of strangers.Perfect.The gala was awful.I tried to enjoy myself. I got a drink — something bubbly and expensive. I walked around, pretending to look at the artwork. I smiled at people who passed, but no one smiled back.Then the whispers started."That's Alejandro Mendoza's daughter.""The one Romano married?""After
Zayden’s POVI stood in the foyer with Nico and Tomás, waiting.The clock on the wall ticked slowly. I checked my watch for the third time in five minutes."Would you relax?" Tomás leaned against the bannister. "She's coming.""You don't know that.""She's your wife. And I’m not sure you gave her a choice!” He scoffed.I didn't answer.Footsteps echoed from the staircase and I looked up.Bella descended slowly, one hand on the railing, her black dress flowing behind her. The fabric hugged her curves before falling to the floor. Her hair was tied up in a sleek back ponytail. Her lips were red.Tomás whistled. "She’s hot."Nico elbowed him. "Watch it."I said nothing. But my jaw tightened.She was supposed to wear red. I know she did that to piss me off.Bella reached the bottom of the stairs and walked toward me. Her eyes met mine, calm and steady."I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she said.I stepped closer. "No. You look stunning."I placed my hand on her waist and leaned
Bella’s POVIt had been two days since I had seen Zayden.Two days since he collapsed.Two days since Emerald threw me out of his room like I didn’t belong there.And two days since I promised myself I would stop caring.The problem was that promises were easier to make than keep.It was the day of the gala. I sat in front of the vanity mirror while Gianna stood behind me, brushing through my hair.The room was quiet.“Careful, please,” I said, the moment she tugged tightly at my hair. Gianna immediately eased her grip. “Sorry.”“It’s okay.” I waved a hand.She smiled, pulled my hair into a sleek back and tied it up into a neat ponytail.Our eyes met in the mirror…I could tell she wanted to speak."What's on your mind?" She asked me finally.I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"She smiled. "The room may be silent, but your thoughts are very loud."I laughed. Despite everything, I laughed. "It's nothing."Gianna tilted her head. "You're the one who said you wanted us to get to know each
Zayden’s POVI woke up feeling heavy.That was the only word for it. Heavy. Like someone had filled my bones with lead and my lungs with cotton. My arms felt like they belonged to someone else. My legs wouldn't move when I told them to.I blinked at the ceiling, tired. The light was too bright. The room smelled like antiseptic and something floral.An IV line was taped to my arm.I stared at it for a long moment, letting the memories trickle back. The cough. The fire in my chest. My mother's voice asking if I was okay. The nurse stood at the foot of the bed, reviewing a chart. My mother sat in the armchair by the window, her arms crossed, her expression carved from stone."You're awake," Maria, the nurse, said. "How are you feeling?""Fine," I lied.She didn't look convinced. "You're going to need a lot of rest. This was one of those episodes — the kind we've been trying to prevent.""I know." I shrugged."Have you been taking your medication?" She asked me."Yes.""Have you been sle
Bella’s POVI was in my room when I heard it.Emerald's voice. Constantly asking Zayden what was wrong. I could hear the coughing — like something was trying to tear out of his throat.His room was right beside mine. I didn't have much of a choice but to hear everything that was happening.I stood from my bed, opened the door slowly, and waited.I heard his voice. Low, rough, struggling."Call the nurse. Now.""No." Emerald's voice was firm. "We need to get you to the hospital.""Mom." Zayden's voice became firmer. "Just call the nurse. Please."After what felt like moments, Emerald finally spoke. "Alright. Don't move."I hid behind the door as she bolted out of the room. That was the fastest I had ever seen her run. Or seen her do anything.When she was out of sight, I took a deep breath and stepped out.Should I be doing this? I thought to myself as I walked slowly to the room beside mine.I paused by the door and saw him.Zayden.He sat on the bed, holding his chest. His eyes were
Bella’s POVThe car rolled through the dark streets, the low hum of the engine doing nothing to drown out the pounding in my ears.Matteo’s fingers hovered in front of my face, glistening with my wetness in the faint light from passing streetlamps.He stared at them like they were evidence.“Why ar
Bella’s POVMatteo looked at Zayden with an anger that stopped the entire room.“Zayden…” he started smoothly. “I would say it’s a pleasure but I’m not a very good liar.”Zayden chuckled. “Come on, Matteo.” He said. “Let’s not be like that tonight. In fact.” He paused, sitting across from us, cross
Bella’s POV I woke up two hours ago, getting ready for my night out with Matteo. I slipped on my heels, taking one last look at myself in the mirror. The dress was black silk, clinging like a second skin, neckline plunging just enough to make my father pretend he didn’t notice. I took a deep
Zayden’s POV I’d had more one-night stands than I could count. Faces I forgot before the sun rose. Names I never asked for. But her? Bella. She was different. In my mind. On my skin. In the silence between my thoughts. There was something in the way she fell apart that night—quietly and desperate







