“Luciano!” Laura called out, running in her five-inch heels to catch up with his long strides. “Luciano!” He heard her but didn’t stop. He reached his car and pulled the door open, ready to slide into the driver’s seat. Breathless and desperate, Laura called out again, “Please, listen to me!”He inhaled and exhaled in sharp frustration, his hand lingering on the car handle before he snapped, turning toward her. “Don’t even try, Laura. Because no matter what you say, I won’t change my mind.”“No, you’ve got me wrong,” she panted, still catching her breath from the run. “I’m here to talk to you... to help you.”“Help me?” He slammed the car door shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the quiet afternoon. He raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with skepticism. “How?”“You said,” she started, stepping closer now, her pace slowing to a deliberate crawl. “That Rosa is upset with you because of what Francesca did.” She cleverly placed all the blame on Francesca, seizing the opportunity t
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