LOGIN~LUCAS~The moment the classroom door closes behind Camilla, I let out a long breath.I stand there for a few seconds, staring at the door as if I can somehow see through it.Then I shake my head."What have you done, Lucas?" The question slips out under my breath.I already know the answer.I've just agreed to tutor Camilla Riccardo.And somehow, I have the distinct feeling that I've made a very dangerous mistake.I adjust my bag, trying to convince myself that I'm overthinking things.It's tutoring….. that's all.She's struggling with her studies, and I happen to be in a position where I can help her.There is nothing wrong with that. It's just being academic, professional, and simple.I repeat those words in my head as I start to walk away from the classroom.By the time I am out of this particular building, I'm almost convinced.Then I remember the way Camilla practically threw herself at me when I agreed to tutor her.A smile threatens the corner of my mo
~CAMILLA~My heart stops when I hear Lucas say those words.For one horrifying second, all I can hear is the faint hum of the air conditioner above me and the sound of my own heartbeat pounding violently against my ribs.‘I want to see you, Camilla.’Those words shouldn't make me this happy.They shouldn't, not after what happened.Not after I had just stood in front of an entire classroom and made myself look like the dumbest student in the history of the University of Milan.But somehow, the moment Lucas says he wants to see me, every other thought disappears.Even the embarrassment, and the laughter.Even the way my face burned when I couldn't answer the simplest question.Everything disappears immediately because Lucas wants to see me.Lucas really wants to see me.I sit up straighter."Me?"The stupid question slips out before I can stop it.Lucas gives me a look. "Yes, Camilla. You."I swallow. "Oh."Oh? Oh? That's all I can say?I want to slap myself.A f
~LUCAS~I don't think I have ever prayed this way like the way I'm praying right now not to meet Camilla Riccardo in my class.If I can really avoid Camilla Riccardo, then I'm going to enjoy Italy.The apartment I was given is so nice, classy and very comfortable. And the car I was given is so sleek and beautiful.But Camilla Riccardo is my biggest problem, and when I walk into class and see her sitting right there….I simply stare at her.Of course she's here.Because apparently, the universe has decided that avoiding this woman is going to be my personal punishment.I close my eyes for half a second and take a slow breath.Fine…..I accept it.I'm defeated.There is no escaping Camilla Riccardo.I could probably travel to another continent, lock myself in a basement and somehow, if I opened my eyes, I'd find her sitting across from me with that ridiculous smile.So this is it.She's in my class….and I'm her new lecturer.I straighten my shoulders and force e
~CAMILLA~Monday morning comes with far too much confidence.The sun is barely up when I open my eyes, and the first thought that enters my mind is Lucas.Of course it is.Because apparently, my brain has decided that the first thing I should think about every morning is a man I met twice.I stare at the ceiling for a few seconds with a hope that I might see him today.The thought sends a tiny flutter through my stomach.I smile before I can stop myself, then I immediately frown.Why am I smiling?I throw the blanket off me and sit up."Get yourself together, Camilla."There is no reason to be this excited.It's not like Lucas promised to come back.He only said that if we met again, I should bring up the tutoring.But we're going to meet again….I'm sure of it.At least, that's what I've been telling myself all weekend.I get ready faster than usual, choosing an outfit and spending more time than necessary deciding whether my hair looks better loose or tied back.
~CAMILLA~By Saturday afternoon, I have officially decided that having a best friend is overrated.Especially when that best friend has decided to spend the entire weekend in my apartment and apparently has no intention of letting me forget the most embarrassing thing I've done some days ago.I should have known something was wrong when Esmeralda arrived yesterday evening with an overnight bag that looked suspiciously large for someone who claimed she was only staying until Sunday.She walked through my front door, dropped the bag beside the sofa, kicked off her shoes and announced,"I'm staying."I had stared at her, and asked, "For how long?"She had smiled. "Until you stop talking about that man. Girl, you're literally bombing my phone with text messages about that man.”I should have thrown her back out. Instead, I had laughed, and that was my first mistake.Because apparently, that laugh gave her permission to torment me for the rest of the weekend.Now, the
~LUCAS~I don't know how long I pace around the room staring into empty space after the call ends.I finally look at the screen of my phone. It has gone black, so my reflection stares back at me.I sigh heavily, realizing that somehow, my life has somehow managed to become even more complicated than it was five minutes ago.I stop looking at the phone and I squeeze my eyes again at the thought of being an assistant lecturer for months in Camilla's university."No. This really shouldn't be happening!’The word leaves my mouth quietly, and almost pleadingly.I open my eyes again."Absolutely not."But the problem is, the decision isn't mine anymore.My boss already agreed.The university wants me, and they're apparently offering me money, accommodation, a car, and an opportunity that any law student—or aspiring lawyer—would probably kill for.And all I can think about is one woman.One particular woman with brown hair, warm eyes, an infuriatingly sweet smile,
~ELENA~“My daughter belongs to all of them,” I announce.Laughter breaks out—low, cruel, disbelieving.“Daughters?” one of them repeats. “You expect us to believe three men fathered three identical children?”“Yes,” I reply boldly.Outrage erupts.“That’s perversion!”“Th
~ELENA~I know something is wrong the moment they come back into my room after taking Fiorella and Marcella to the nursery.Not because they say anything.But because the house feels… heavier.Vincenzo closes the door behind them carefully, like the walls might be listening
~ELENA~That night, when the house finally grows quiet, reality settles in.Not the fear kind, but the good kind.The kind that hums softly in your chest and tells you this….this moment….is real.The nursery light glows faintly down the hall.I sit in bed, pillows stacked behi
~ELENA~The hospital room smells like antiseptic when I wake again.For a terrifying second, my arms feel empty. Then I hear it.Three tiny breaths. Soft. Uneven. Alive.I turn my head slowly and see them….three bassinets lined up beside my bed, each holding a piece of my hear







