Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

An older man stood immediately, probably in his seventies but still vital, still commanding, his eyes sharp and assessing as they landed on me. He was tall, distinguished, gray hair perfectly groomed, wearing a suit despite the informal setting. “Enzo!” His voice boomed, warm but powerful, filling the room. “It’s been years! It had to take a special invitation to bring you back here, eh?” “Nonno.” Enzo moved forward, embraced the older man, genuine affection in the gesture. “You’re looking well.” “Golf keeps me young.” Salvatore pulled back, his hands on Enzo’s shoulders, studying him. “And you look tired. Milan is working you too hard.” Then his eyes shifted to me, standing slightly behind Enzo. “And this must be the young woman I’ve heard so much about.” Enzo’s hand found mine, pulled me forward. “Nonno, this is Nina. Nina, my grandfather, Salvatore.” “Signorina Nina.” Salvatore took my hand, kissed it with old-world gallantry. “Welcome to our home. Any woman who can tam

NINA’s POV I felt the bed shift, then the warmth of lips against my temple, soft and lingering. My eyes fluttered open slowly, the bright Sicilian sun streaming through the windows making me squint. Enzo was already dressed, crisp white shirt, dark slacks, looking like he’d been awake for hours. “Morning, baby girl,” he murmured against my hair, his hand stroking down my arm. “What time is it?” My voice was rough with sleep. “Early. Just past eight.” He kissed my forehead. “I have to go out.” I sat up slightly, the sheet falling to my waist, suddenly more alert. “Go out? Where?” “Family business.” “What business?” “Just business.” His tone was firm, closing off that line of questioning. “I’m going out with Nonno and Alessandro. Won’t be long.” “How long is not long?” “Few hours. Maybe more.” He stood, adjusting his watch. “Don’t worry about anything. If you need something, Maria or Giuseppe will handle it. They’re here to help you.” “But—” He leaned down, kisse

ENZO’s POV The drive took us out of the main villa grounds, up winding roads into the hills, to one of the family’s more private properties. A smaller estate, more fortress than home, with views that stretched across the entire valley, the Mediterranean glinting in the distance. This was where Nonno conducted his most sensitive business, away from prying eyes and listening ears. Alessandro drove, Nonno beside him in the front, me in the back, all of us silent as we climbed higher into the hills. The tension in the car was palpable, the kind that came before serious conversations, before decisions that would shape the future. We pulled up to the estate, guards at every entrance, more security than the villa, more weapons visible. This wasn’t about comfort or family gatherings. This was about power. “Come,” Nonno said as we got out, leading us not into the house but around it, to a stone staircase that climbed the exterior wall. “The roof. Better to talk where no one can hear.”

She clenched her jaw, fingers trembling. It wasn’t jealousy. It was… it was professionalism. It was discomfort. It was… Okay, maybe it was jealousy. But Eloise would be damned if she let anyone see it. Inside the office, Sandra leaned back on Dino’s desk like she owned it. “I waited for you to reached out, you know. I thought we had something.” Dino shook his head, his voice flat. “We were in highschool.” Sandra pouted. “Well, we were still together sometime after highschool, maybe we can pick up where we left off. You seem single.” Dino’s gaze flickered to the door. “Things have changed.” Sandra tilted her head. “Eloise... is she one of those things?” He didn’t answer. Didn’t deny it. Didn’t need to. And outside, Eloise stared hard at the screen, jaw clenched, her mind racing with things she had no right to feel. But she felt them anyway. And that was the problem. There’s no way, right? She’s your stepsister now… Sandra said with a playful lilt

The next morning at the office felt unusually quiet. Eloise stepped into the building with a calm demeanor, but inside, her thoughts were a swirl of noise. She hadn’t had much sleep after last night’s conversation with Dino. It had stayed with her long after he left. The way he opened up, the weight behind his words... it all echoed in her mind, making her heart ache a little. She had always known Dino carried a lot, but hearing it from him directly changed everything. She walked through the familiar halls of the office with practiced ease, offering small smiles to a few colleagues on the way, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Her desk was just as she left it organized, clean, and oddly comforting. She placed her bag down, booted up her computer, and took a deep sip from her warm coffee. Dino was away today, handling business matters at his father’s company, so the atmosphere was notably different without him around. A part of her missed him already, and it was ridiculous, con