With tears in my eyes, I give him my brightest smile, and we kiss again. Facing the sea, with the echo of the waves as our only melody, we stay close to each other for a while before leaving.

"Thank you so much, Ezio, for confiding in me. I know it must have been hard and costly, but you made the right choice. I will be here to support you and stand by you; together, we are always stronger."

We kiss and then put on our helmets before heading back to Andy's apartment. Once we arrive, our appetite awakens and we decide to eat.

"Let me cook dinner to make up for everything," Ezio offers tenderly.

"You have nothing to make up for. I understand your reaction now, and you didn't deserve what I said."

"That I deserved to be alone with my vices ? I can't blame you; you were angry, and I know your words were said in the heat of the moment. Besides, I deserved it at that moment."

I give him a sad smile, apologizing again, and then settle at the bar to watch him cook.

"By the way, you didn't tell me about your date with Paola last night."

"There's not much to say. As soon as we entered the restaurant, all eyes were on us, so we didn't have to try hard to be noticed. The paparazzi showed up quickly and did their job. We talked about everything and nothing during the meal. She's nice, but we have nothing to talk about, no common subjects, so it was quick. We ate, then I took her home."

"Do you think people, especially the Guzzo family, believe in your story ?"

"Honestly, we're doing everything we can to make them believe it. I try to hold her hand and have tender gestures towards her, and it seems to be working."

Uncontrollable, my jealousy flares up. The mere idea of him touching her makes me flush and tense my muscles. Ezio notices and smiles at me, clearly amused.

"I know this situation is hard for you, but don't worry, it's really just a fake. You are the only one in my thoughts and my heart. To be honest, you haunted my thoughts so much that I didn't listen to anything she was saying." He reassures me with a smile.

The embers of my jealousy still glowing, I smile despite myself at his words.

"Thank you, Ezio, for finding the words to reassure me. I'm trying to hold back as much as I can, but I'm afraid everything will go wrong and she'll manage to seduce you."

He laughs.

"Believe me, that's impossible. First, because she's absolutely not my type of woman, and second, because she's a lesbian."

His revelation tightens my jaw muscles, making my mouth slightly open.

"But wait, I don't understand. Are you sure ?"

"Completely. It's a secret she keeps well, and she does everything to protect it."

"Then how do you know ?"

"Do you remember when I checked the phones at my father's house when we wanted to find out who the traitor was ?"

"Yes, I remember well." I retort, my mind assaulted by flashes of memories of Valentina's pitiless execution.

"Well, when I looked at Valentina's phone, she was receiving a rather hot message from Paola at the same time."

"Maybe she sent it to the wrong person."

"No doubts possible. Her name was mentioned in it."

And that card found in Salva's car ? Did I misinterpret it ?

"I'm really shocked. I didn't expect this at all. Why didn't you tell me earlier ?"

"I didn't see the point. The harm was already done when you found out about our engagement. It's her private life, and it belongs to her. I respect that she doesn't want to talk about it. I'm telling you today to reassure you and to prove that you have nothing to fear. Also, because I trust you and know you will be discreet." He explains, giving me a wink.

I nod to show I understand, my head buzzing with thoughts colliding with each other.

"Do you think Paola knows that Isabella killed Valentina ?"

"Honestly, I don't know, but I don't think so. At the gala, they got along very well, and Paola is many things but not a hypocrite. When she's mad at someone or doesn't like them, you know it immediately."

After his words, he serves us dinner, and I retreat into my thoughts, sensing that something suspicious is brewing.

"I need to warn you; Saturday night, Paola and I are going to the opera, and we'll kiss during the performance. The paparazzi will think we believe we're alone, and the darkness of the box is conducive to closeness, so it will be a natural scene for them. After that, I'll finally be free from this engagement, and we can move on to the plan for your revenge."

I tense up hearing Ezio's plan for Saturday night. Despite his confidence about Paola's sexuality, I can't help but feel jealous. The idea of another woman, even in a contrived situation like this, touching Ezio and being so intimate with him, makes my hair stand on end and my blood boil.

He must sense my possessiveness radiating towards him because he places his hand on mine.

"May, everything will be fine, and then this story will be behind us."

"I sincerely hope so."

Despite my apparent sincerity, I can't ignore the premonition rising within me. The one that whispers this story is just beginning.