Captured by shadows

The murmurs of the high-end restaurant blended with the gentle clinking of silverware, a refined symphony of wealth and exclusivity. Alessandra had chosen this place for a reason—its reputation for discretion.

The Rovella was an elite establishment nestled in the heart of Milan, a sanctuary where Italy's most powerful figures dined without the threat of paparazzi. The entire second floor was reserved for VIPs, hidden behind soundproofed walls and tinted windows. No cameras. No prying eyes.

Just what she needed.

As she settled into the plush leather seat, she exhaled softly, pressing a hand against her temple. The past few hours had been a whirlwind of tension, stolen glances, and the unshakable weight of a single name circling in her mind like a storm. If she didn't speak to someone soon, she might lose her mind.

A flash of dark curls entered her vision.

"Tell me everything."

Alessandra smirked before even looking up. Of course.

"Let me breathe first, Giulia."

Giulia Caruso slid into the seat across from her with effortless elegance, draping her designer coat over the chair. The restaurant's dim lighting accentuated her striking features—dark brown eyes that always gleamed with curiosity, full lips curved in a mischievous smirk.

"You wouldn't have asked to meet if it wasn't something scandalous," Giulia teased, signaling a waiter before turning back to Alessandra. "So, spill. Who is it?"

Alessandra sighed, swirling the deep red wine in her glass before meeting her best friend's gaze.

"Matteo Corsini."

Giulia's expression froze mid-smirk.

Then—she burst out laughing.

"Wait—Matteo Corsini?" She leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table. "The black sheep of the Corsini family? The one everyone swears is ten times worse than his father?"

Alessandra gave her a deadpan look. "Yes, that Matteo Corsini."

Giulia's laughter turned into a disbelieving scoff. "You have got to be joking."

"I wish I were," Alessandra muttered, rubbing her temples. "He walked into my family's breakfast this morning like he owned the place and practically challenged Luca to his face."

Giulia whistled low. "Damn. And I thought you were in deep before."

"You don't even know the half of it." Alessandra took a sip of her wine, hesitating before continuing. "He—he asked me to dance at the Gala."

Giulia blinked.

Then leaned back in her chair, a slow grin spreading across her lips.

"Oh, you are so screwed."

Alessandra groaned, setting her glass down with a little too much force. "Don't say it like that."

"How else am I supposed to say it?" Giulia lifted a perfectly manicured brow. "You're engaged to Luca, your very possessive fiancé, and yet you're sitting here with that look on your face because you can't stop thinking about Matteo fucking Corsini."

Alessandra clenched her jaw. "I'm not—"

Giulia gave her a knowing look. "Lies."

Alessandra slumped back. "Dio."

Giulia chuckled, signaling the waiter for another round of wine. She took her time, her manicured nails tapping lightly against the table, her expression turning thoughtful.

"Alright, let's break this down logically." She tapped a single finger against her glass. "You're attracted to him."

Alessandra said nothing.

Because denying it would be pointless.

She could still feel the way Matteo's gaze had locked onto hers across the breakfast table, dark and unreadable. The way his voice had curled around her name, slow and deliberate. The way the entire room had stopped the moment he'd asked her to dance.

It was as if he had reached across the distance, hooked his fingers beneath her ribs, and tugged.

"That's not the problem, though," Giulia continued, swirling the deep red wine in her glass. "The problem is why."

Alessandra's stomach tightened.

Because she already knew.

It wasn't just his looks—though Dio mio, Matteo Corsini was devastating. It wasn't just his confidence, his arrogance, the way he carried himself like a man who feared nothing.

It was the way he saw her.

Like she was something more than Luca's fiancée.

Like he was daring her to break the rules.

"You want him because he's dangerous," Giulia murmured, her voice softer now. "Because he makes you feel something Luca doesn't."

Alessandra swallowed hard.

"Tell me I'm wrong," Giulia challenged.

She couldn't.

The realization hit like a crashing wave, violent and undeniable.

Matteo Corsini was a temptation she couldn't afford.

But the more she tried to resist…

The more she wanted to see just how far he'd go.

And that terrified her.

Giulia studied her carefully, fingers trailing the rim of her glass. The teasing glint in her eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by something sharper.

"You know what this means, don't you?" she asked.

Alessandra exhaled slowly. "That I need to stay the hell away from him?"

Giulia tilted her head. "That you should stay away. But you won't."

Alessandra closed her eyes for a beat, frustration knotting in her chest. "I hate you."

Giulia smirked. "You love me."

The waiter arrived with their next round of drinks, placing them gently on the table before disappearing again.

Giulia took a delicate sip before speaking again, her tone casual but laced with intent.

"And Luca?" she asked. "Does he know?"

Alessandra's fingers tightened around the stem of her glass.

"He suspects."

Giulia lifted a brow. "And?"

"And," Alessandra said carefully, "he doesn't trust Matteo."

Giulia let out a low chuckle. "Smart man."

Alessandra stared at her wine, watching the way the liquid swirled in deep, hypnotic waves. "He's going to make my life hell over this."

"Wouldn't be Luca if he didn't."

Alessandra let out a humorless laugh. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side," Giulia said, propping her chin on her hand. "That's why I'm going to tell you exactly what's going to happen next."

Alessandra arched a brow. "Oh?"

Giulia leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to make it feel like a secret.

"Matteo's not going to let this go."

A shiver ghosted down Alessandra's spine.

"He's going to push," Giulia continued, watching her carefully. "Test you. See how far you're willing to go before you break."

Alessandra wet her lips, pulse thrumming.

"And the worst part?" Giulia smirked. "You want him to."

Alessandra inhaled sharply.

"Tell me I'm wrong," Giulia challenged again.

And for the second time that night…

She couldn't.

Outside, the city of Milan pulsed with life, glittering beneath the night sky. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows framed the view, the soft glow of streetlights casting golden reflections across the glass.

Alessandra knew she should leave soon.

Knew she should go home to Luca.

And yet…

Her thoughts remained trapped in the space between past and future.

Between should and want.

Between Luca and Matteo.

Giulia's voice cut through the silence one last time.

"So, what are you going to do?"

Alessandra lifted her glass, staring at the deep crimson wine.

She already knew the answer.

But she wasn't ready to say it out loud.

Not yet.

Instead, she took a slow sip, letting the bitterness coat her tongue.

And in the depths of her mind, one truth remained unshaken.

No matter what she did…

Matteo Corsini was not done with her.

Not by a long shot.