LOGINLila’s POV Scene The moment the air changes, I feel it. A soft shift, almost like the atmosphere tightens around us. Zara’s tiny voice follows it. “Mom…” she whispers, her tone dipping into something shy and uncertain, the way only children sound when someone important steps into a space.I follow her gaze.And then I see her.The same woman from yesterday at the Ivory Pavilion.Her posture is elegant, her expression unreadable, her presence almost too composed for a park setting. Ah. She must be his wife. What a lovely family, I muse silently. A gentle, subtle smile curls at the corner of my lips—small enough that only I can feel the warmth of it—as I lower my head politely.But her voice snaps me right out of that small, peaceful moment.“We meet again.”I raise my head. Keep a soft smile in place, even as something prickles beneath my skin. “Yeah… maybe the universe is trying to tell us something.” My tone is light, teasing, almost playful. I’m barely even serious; just trying to
Liam’s POVZara tugs Lila toward the ice cream truck, their laughter rising above the chatter and distant music floating through the park. Her tiny sandals slap against the pavement as she half-skips, half-drags Lila along. People around them drift by—families, friends, couples—but those two are the brightest thing in my line of sight.They don’t even check if I’m following.And somehow, I still can’t move.My mind shifts back to my meeting with Marcus earlier today. His voice echoes again, low and careful, as if he didn’t want to give me hope.“She has the same face and the same name as your wife, Lila. But after watching her closely, this girl isn’t anything like the Lila you described. There’s every chance she isn’t the one you’ve been searching for.”His words were meant to steady me. Instead, they sit in my chest like a stone as I watch her now—this Lila—smiling softly as she helps Zara choose between toppings.If she isn’t the Lila I’ve been looking for, then who is she?And why
Lila’s POVI stand at the head of the table, facing the team I was supposed to meet the other day but completely forgot. Their eyes are fixed on me, waiting for direction, and I realize just how professional they all look, neatly organized with their notes and laptops.“Okay, I guess we’re done for today,” I say, my voice carrying easily across the room. “You’re dismissed.”“Yes, ma’am,” they reply in unison, standing and gathering their materials. Papers shuffle, laptops click closed, chairs scrape against the floor as they start filing out. I watch them move with a small, approving smile before leaning back slightly, stretching my arms above my head, letting my muscles unwind from the long session.My stretch is cut short by the sudden buzz of my phone. I snap upright, reaching for it immediately. A video call. I glance at the screen and see all of them already crowding in, each face jostling for attention. Alessia’s voice pierces through first.“So, tell me, how did the meeting go?
Claudia’s POVThe door clicks shut behind me. I step in, heels clicking against the polished floor. My eyes flick to Aurelia’s back. “So… tell me. Why did you ask to see me?” My voice carries across the quiet room, sharp and deliberate, letting her know I’m not here to waste time.She turns slowly, lips curling into that sly, calculated smile. “Is that how you greet an old friend you haven’t seen in a while?” She lifts her wine glass to her lips, sipping like she’s savoring my reaction, eyes locked on mine before she even sets it down.I scoff, throwing my bag onto the single couch. I stride to the table, pour a drink, and gulp it down in one sharp swallow. I slam the glass onto the surface, letting the soft thud echo. I pivot back, eyes narrowing. “I know you didn’t call me here to chit-chat. So just… get straight to the point. Say what you have to, so I can leave,” I say, eyes narrowing at her, voice edged with impatience.Aurelia’s eyes widen, then she scoffs once, scoffs again, di
Lila’s POVBy the time I finally drop off the last of my friends, my entire body feels like it’s melting into the seat. I pull into the driveway and exhale into the empty air.“Finally… today was it,” I whisper as I kill the engine.I slide out of the car, stretching, but the moment my feet hit the ground, something feels off. The air is tense in a way that prickles the back of my neck. The maids rush toward me quicker than usual.“Welcome back, ma’am,” they say almost in unison, voices tight, eyes darting from one face to another.I pause. They look like they’re hiding something.A long sigh escapes me. “Could it be—”I cut off the thought before it fully forms and walk straight into the house.The answer meets me the moment I step into the living room.She is there. Sitting elegantly on the couch like a queen waiting for her runaway subject. Her posture perfect. Her gaze cold and steady. It never leaves me as I enter the room.My stomach knots. I shift my weight and tug lightly at m
Liam’s POVThe moment our eyes meet, the world tilts. For a second, I forget how to breathe. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be standing in front of her like this. I came to Italy because of her, yes, but I wasn’t sure how to see her yet. I only came to this place to meet with Marcus, to get more information about Lila and my mother. That was all. A quiet investigation. Nothing dramatic.Yet here she is. In my arms. As if fate decided to mock me to my face.She breaks the gaze first. Her lashes flutter and she fumbles against my chest, trying to steady herself. I catch her by the waist, my fingers tightening almost instructively as I help her straighten up, my hands lingering a second too long. A rush of heat hits my face and my pulse spikes, but I force myself to stay still. She clears her throat, touches her hair like she needs to gather herself, and steps back with a faint, awkward smile.“Thanks,” she murmurs, already moving sideways as if she cannot get away fast e







