LOGINI stayed in bed for a while after Dimitri left, just staring at the door.
Finally I made myself get up. Sitting here feeling guilty wasn’t going to help anything. I grabbed one of Dimitri’s robes from the closet and put it on. It smelled like him and made my chest hurt all over again. The penthouse felt too quiet without him at the moment. I walked to the kitchen. Maybe if I did something normal, I could pretend this morning didn’t hENZO's POV I had called Nina twice the previous evening. She answered but no long talk. I assumed she was busy with Gia and the wedding preparations, but I had expected her to return my call by morning. She hadn’t. I checked my phone as I came downstairs. Still no message. “Good morning sir,” Bruno greeted from the dining room. “Morning.” “Breakfast is ready.” I took my usual seat and reached for my coffee. Before I could take a sip, Violet walked into the room. “Enzo.” I glanced up. “You’re still here?” She pulled out the chair opposite me. “Good morning to you too.” “Didn’t I make myself clear yesterday?” “I came to see you, not to argue.” “Then you should have called first.” She ignored my remark and reached for the coffee pot. “I spoke with my father yesterday. He thinks we should have dinner with your grandfather before the end of the week.” “Then you and your father can have dinner with him.” Her hand paused around the coffee pot. “You can’t
Two days before the wedding, Gia’s house was filled with guests. Some of her closest friends had arrived the previous evening, and they had spent most of the morning taking over the living room with wedding magazines, gift bags and photographs from the preparations. The wedding planner and her team were handling the arrangements, while the caterers had arrived to finalise the menu and the decorators were putting the finishing touches to the garden. Gia, however, still found a reason to worry about everything. “I told them I wanted the flowers closer to the entrance,” she said, showing us a picture on her phone. One of her friends, Clara, leaned over to look. “They are closer to the entrance.” “Not that close.” I laughed from my seat. “Gia, I think you should let them do their job.” She turned to me. “You’re supposed to be on my side.” “I am. I’m also trying to save your wedding planner from having a breakdown.” The girls burst into laughter. Gia rolled her eyes and dropped
“Do you have more pictures of her?” I asked. Vera nodded. “No that’s all dear.” I looked down at the photograph again, tracing the edge with my thumb. For so long, I’d thought my past was something I could never get back. Now, sitting in that living room with my family, I was beginning to realise how much of it was still waiting for me. And I wanted to know all of it. I looked down at the photograph again, tracing the edge with my thumb. For so long, I’d thought my past was something I could never get back. Now, sitting in that living room with my family, I was beginning to realise how much of it was still waiting for me. And I wanted to know all of it. I placed the photograph back inside the box and looked at Vera. “How did you know my f
When we arrived at the house, Gia was the first to get out of the car. She hurried towards the entrance, leaving Luca to help with the luggage. I followed her, but stopped when I noticed a woman standing by the door, smiling at us. I recognised her almost immediately. “Mrs. Santoro?” Her smile widened. “Nina!” Before I could say anything else, she walked towards me and pulled me into a warm hug. I stood there for a second, still taking in her familiar face, before wrapping my arms around her. “Oh, sweetheart. Look at you.” I laughed softly as she held my cheeks, examining my face. “It’s been so long.” “Too long,” she agreed. “And please, call me Vera.” I blinked, then remembered. She and Mr. Santoro had divorced years ago, long before his death in Sicily. “Right. Vera.” She smiled. “That’s better.” I pulled her into another hug, holding her a little tighter this time. “Okay, Mom,” I whispered. Her arms tightened around me. “It has been more than a d
“I will.” He gave me a doubtful look. “I promise, Enzo.” He reached for my chin, brushing his thumb lightly across it before letting go. “Have Bruno take you, at least.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he gave me a look that made me reconsider. “Fine. Just Bruno but no guards.” He seemed satisfied enough with that arrangement. “Good.” I picked up my handbag and phone, then leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I won’t be long.” “Take your time, Tesoro.” I smiled at the change in his expression before heading out. Behind me, I heard him call Bruno to make sure the car was ready. The restaurant was quiet when I arrived. Da
NINA’s POV By the time I woke up the following morning, Gia had already sent me twelve messages. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and opened our conversation. There were pictures of wedding dresses, flower arrangements, venues and even a few screenshots of hairstyles. I laughed as I scrolled through them. Gia: Don’t ignore me. I need your opinion. Me: Good morning to you too. Gia: Good morning. Now, look at the dresses. I shook my head, smiling. “What’s so funny?” I turned and found Enzo sitting against the headboard, watching me. His hair was slightly dishevelled, and he had one arm resting behind his head. “Gia is already sending me pictures of wedding dresses. I think she’s planning to make me do all the work.” “She better not stress you.” I showed him one of the pictures. “What do you think?” He glanced at the screen. “It’s a dress.” I stared at him. “That’s your opinion?” “What else am I supposed to say?” “Never mind.” He chuckled and







