CHAPTER 340

SYDNEY

The cobblestones beneath my feet seemed to whisper secrets of centuries past, each step echoing with the weight of my intentions. The lamplight cast long, stretching shadows, painting the narrow alley in hues of amber and indigo. The scent of damp earth mingled with the distant aroma of blooming flowers, a surreal backdrop to the turmoil within me.The decision to face Romeo alone had not been taken lightly. There was a question burning in my chest, one that had gnawed at my thoughts, relentless and unforgiving. It was a question that demanded answers, no matter how painful they might be. Sebastian, with his unwavering loyalty, could never be privy to this conversation.As the night air kissed my cheeks, I rounded the final corner and there, beneath the flickering glow of a solitary streetlamp, stood Romeo. His figure was a silhouette against the night, tall and enigmatic, and beside him, like an unwelcome specter, was Grace.My breath caught, and my heart seemed to pause, the sig