Chapter 26
I lounged on the terrace sofa, enjoying my morning coffee while flipping through an art catalogue. The Italian sun warmed my skin as I circled potential. pieces for the mansion’s gallery.
Footsteps approached from behind. One of Lorenzo’s guards, appeared with an envelope in his hand.
“Signora Constantine, this arrived in today’s mail.” He extended the cream–colored envelope toward me.
Through the glass doors of Lorenzo’s office, I caught glimpses of him pacing, deep in conversation with his capos. His presence, even at a distance, gave me strength.
I examined the unmarked envelope. “No return address?”
“No, Signora. Security checked it thoroughly.”
My fingers traced the edges before breaking the seal. As I unfolded the letter, my coffee cup slipped from my grip, shattering against the marble floor.
There, in elegant script, was a name I’d hoped never to see again.
Camilla.
My hands trembled as I stared at her signature. The world tilted sideways, memories flooding back – her cruel smile, her calculated words, the way she’d systematically tried to destroy me.
I glanced toward Lorenzo’s office again. He was still engaged with his men, his broad shoulders tense as he studied something on his desk.
The letter burned in my hands like a live wire.
“Signora?” the guard stepped closer, concern etched on his face. “Should I get II Fantasma?”
I couldn’t find my voice to answer. My eyes remained fixed on that damned signature, my mind racing with questions. Where had she been? What did she want? And why now, when I’d finally found happiness?
The paper crinkled in my grip as rage replaced my initial shock. She wouldn’t take this from me. Not my home, not my peace, not Lorenzo.
Never again.
I forced my breathing to steady as I read the letter, each word a fresh cut: Dearest Valentina,
Chapter
12:00 Sun, 2 Mar
94
How remiss of me not to send my congratulations sooner on your marriage to the infamous Lorenzo Constantine. Such a delightful upgrade from Dominic, wouldn’t you say? Though I must admit, watching you claw your way up from rock bottom has been quite entertaining.
Did you think I’d disappeared? Run away scared after you managed to slip through our fingers? Oh, darling. I’ve simply been… planning. You see, your little victory lap isn’t quite over yet. In fact, the real game is just beginning.
You may have Lorenzo’s ring on your finger, but don’t get too comfortable in that mansion of yours. Everything you’ve built, everything you think you’ve won – it’s all temporary. I’m going to take it all away, piece by piece. And this time, I won’t stop until you have nothing left. Not your home, not your status, and certainly not Lorenzo.
Consider this a courtesy notice. After all, what’s a good game without fair
warning?
Looking forward to our reunion,
Camilla
*P.S. Send my regards to Lorenzo.
The paper crumpled in my fist. My chest constricted as memories flooded back. But this time was different. I wasn’t that broken girl anymore.
I glanced at Lorenzo through the glass doors. He’d moved to his desk now, reviewing documents with intense focus. The sight of him centered me, reminding me of everything we’d built together.
The guard still hovered nearby. “Signora?”
My voice came out stronger than I expected. “Tell no one about this letter. Not yet.”
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. I tucked the letter into my pocket, mind already racing. Camilla might think she was starting a game, but she had no idea who she was really dealing with now.
I stood from the terrace, brushing off my sundress. The letter weighed heavy in my pocket as I made my way to Lorenzo’s office. His men cleared out
as I entered.
Lorenzo looked up from his papers, his green eyes softening at the sight of me. I crossed the room and settled into his lap, running my fingers through
his dark hair.
12:01 Sun, 2 Mar 0
“Busy?” I pressed a kiss to his jaw.
94%
“For you? Never.” His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me like a shield.
“I need to tell you something.” I traced the line of his collar. “But first, I need you to promise me something.”
His eyebrow arched. “What kind of promise?”
“That you won’t fly into a rage when you hear what I have to say.”
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet, studying my face. His thumb. traced circles on my hip as he considered my words. I could practically see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the implications.
Finally, he nodded. “I promise to listen first. But I make no guarantees about what happens after.”
I pulled the crumpled letter from my pocket and smoothed it against his desk. “This came today.”
His eyes darkened as he read, his grip on my waist tightening with each line. I felt the t
Chapter 26
I lounged on the terrace sofa, enjoying my morning coffee while flipping through an art catalogue. The Italian sun warmed my skin as I circled potential. pieces for the mansion’s gallery.
Footsteps approached from behind. One of Lorenzo’s guards, appeared with an envelope in his hand.
“Signora Constantine, this arrived in today’s mail.” He extended the cream–colored envelope toward me.
Through the glass doors of Lorenzo’s office, I caught glimpses of him pacing, deep in conversation with his capos. His presence, even at a distance, gave me strength.
I examined the unmarked envelope. “No return address?”
“No, Signora. Security checked it thoroughly.”
My fingers traced the edges before breaking the seal. As I unfolded the letter, my coffee cup slipped from my grip, shattering against the marble floor.
There, in elegant script, was a name I’d hoped never to see again.
Camilla.
My hands trembled as I stared at her signature. The world tilted sideways, memories flooding back – her cruel smile, her calculated words, the way she’d systematically tried to destroy me.
I glanced toward Lorenzo’s office again. He was still engaged with his men, his broad shoulders tense as he studied something on his desk.
The letter burned in my hands like a live wire.
“Signora?” the guard stepped closer, concern etched on his face. “Should I get II Fantasma?”
I couldn’t find my voice to answer. My eyes remained fixed on that damned signature, my mind racing with questions. Where had she been? What did she want? And why now, when I’d finally found happiness?
The paper crinkled in my grip as rage replaced my initial shock. She wouldn’t take this from me. Not my home, not my peace, not Lorenzo.
Never again.
I forced my breathing to steady as I read the letter, each word a fresh cut: Dearest Valentina,
Chapter
12:00 Sun, 2 Mar
94
How remiss of me not to send my congratulations sooner on your marriage to the infamous Lorenzo Constantine. Such a delightful upgrade from Dominic, wouldn’t you say? Though I must admit, watching you claw your way up from rock bottom has been quite entertaining.
Did you think I’d disappeared? Run away scared after you managed to slip through our fingers? Oh, darling. I’ve simply been… planning. You see, your little victory lap isn’t quite over yet. In fact, the real game is just beginning.
You may have Lorenzo’s ring on your finger, but don’t get too comfortable in that mansion of yours. Everything you’ve built, everything you think you’ve won – it’s all temporary. I’m going to take it all away, piece by piece. And this time, I won’t stop until you have nothing left. Not your home, not your status, and certainly not Lorenzo.
Consider this a courtesy notice. After all, what’s a good game without fair
warning?
Looking forward to our reunion,
Camilla
*P.S. Send my regards to Lorenzo.
The paper crumpled in my fist. My chest constricted as memories flooded back. But this time was different. I wasn’t that broken girl anymore.
I glanced at Lorenzo through the glass doors. He’d moved to his desk now, reviewing documents with intense focus. The sight of him centered me, reminding me of everything we’d built together.
The guard still hovered nearby. “Signora?”
My voice came out stronger than I expected. “Tell no one about this letter. Not yet.”
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. I tucked the letter into my pocket, mind already racing. Camilla might think she was starting a game, but she had no idea who she was really dealing with now.
I stood from the terrace, brushing off my sundress. The letter weighed heavy in my pocket as I made my way to Lorenzo’s office. His men cleared out
as I entered.
Lorenzo looked up from his papers, his green eyes softening at the sight of me. I crossed the room and settled into his lap, running my fingers through
his dark hair.
12:01 Sun, 2 Mar 0
“Busy?” I pressed a kiss to his jaw.
94%
“For you? Never.” His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me like a shield.
“I need to tell you something.” I traced the line of his collar. “But first, I need you to promise me something.”
His eyebrow arched. “What kind of promise?”
“That you won’t fly into a rage when you hear what I have to say.”
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet, studying my face. His thumb. traced circles on my hip as he considered my words. I could practically see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the implications.
Finally, he nodded. “I promise to listen first. But I make no guarantees about what happens after.”
I pulled the crumpled letter from my pocket and smoothed it against his desk. “This came today.”
His eyes darkened as he read, his grip on my waist tightening with each line. I felt the tension building in his muscles, saw the storm gathering in his expression. But true to his word, he remained silent until he finished reading.
“Camilla.” The name came out like a curse. “She dares to threaten what’s
mine?”
“Lorenzo-”
“No one threatens my wife.” His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper I
knew well.
“No one threatens our happiness.”
ension building in his muscles, saw the storm gathering in his expression. But true to his word, he remained silent until he finished reading.
“Camilla.” The name came out like a curse. “She dares to threaten what’s
mine?”
“Lorenzo-”
“No one threatens my wife.” His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper I
knew well.
“No one threatens our happiness.”
