Chapter 3

The next day, Dad texted me.

"I've booked you a flight for tonight. You're going to the Voss estate to meet your future husband.

"See Sebastian this afternoon. You two need to sort out the handoff of some family business."

Taking care of it was part of my duty as a Silvestri.

As much as I didn't want to see Sebastian, I went to his office anyway.

When I walked in, Vivian was leaning against him.

He was bent over her, tenderly feeding her cake.

Laughing, she offered him a bite in return. He ate it without hesitation.

I loved desserts, too.

But Sebastian had always said he hated the taste of cream. Even the smell made him sick.

I'd thought being allowed to bring desserts into his house meant I was special. I'd been so happy I could barely sleep for three days.

So stupid.

I pulled myself together. As if I hadn't seen a thing, I asked evenly, "Sebastian, where are the documents I need to review?"

When Vivian saw me, she got up and walked over.

"So you're the one who left all that garbage at Sebastian's house?"

I looked at her coldly.

"It wasn't garbage."

Suddenly, she grabbed the plate of cake beside her and hurled it at me.

Sebastian rushed over and pulled me into his arms, shielding me from some of it.

I couldn't dodge all of it, though. Some of the cream got in my eyes, and they stung.

He handed me a handkerchief, then turned on Vivian without thinking.

"Why would you throw that at Flora?"

Vivian's eyes went red, as if she were the one who'd been wronged.

"Sebastian, the Silvestri family's precious daughter was living in your house, and you expect me to believe you're just colleagues?

"Something's obviously going on between you!"

His arm stiffened around my shoulders, then slowly fell away.

He studied me for a long, conflicted moment. In the end, he put his arms around Vivian and soothed her.

"I admit it hasn't just been business between us. But you're the woman I love most.

"She gets special treatment because she's the Silvestri family's daughter. If nothing else, that should have stopped you from treating her like this."

Vivian burrowed into his arms, pouting.

"I don't care. She can't do anything to me with you here.

"Promise me you'll never see her alone again!"

Sebastian hesitated, saying nothing.

Vivian gave me a cold look and came toward me.

"Can't you take a hint and leave Sebastian alone?"

She was so close that I instinctively started to step back.

Just then, she screamed and pitched forward, dragging me down with her. The cuts that had only just scabbed over split open again.

Sebastian helped her up at once, his face tight with worry.

Once he was sure she wasn't hurt, he turned to me, his disappointment plain.

"Flora, I know you're the Don's daughter, and we don't want any trouble with you. But that doesn't give you the right to hurt Vivian!"

I tried to explain that she'd fallen on her own, but he wouldn't let me speak.

"Once this business is finished, you'll stay home for a week and think about what you've done. No going out. That's an order from your guardian!"

After a pause, I said slowly, "But I don't have to obey you anymore. I've already agreed to the Voss family's..."