Salva turns around and immediately lets go of me upon seeing Ezio.

"It's not what you think, I was training her," he justifies himself, panicking.

Ezio looks at us skeptically.

"Training for what exactly ?"

"Stop being so suspicious, Salva is helping me become quicker and more formidable for the revenge I'm planning."

"Wasn't it supposed to be me training you ?"

"Given the circumstances and not wanting to wait any longer, I asked Salva to step in for you. You kept postponing it, so at least with him, I know we're making progress."

Ezio puts his hands in his pockets and looks at the floor, visibly upset. At the same moment, Andy and Greta return from the caterer. Salva takes the opportunity to help them, escaping the tension.

"Oh Ezio, hello, you're early. The party doesn't start for another half hour, and that's only if the guests are on time," says Andy.

"I like to be early, and I needed to see May after what happened this morning," Ezio responds.

"Oh, so now you care about me ? I haven't heard a word from you or received a single call since this morning," I snap.

Ezio looks amused.

"Have you even looked at your phone since this morning ?"

About to respond, I stop when the gears of my mind click into place. Realizing I haven't checked my phone all day, I feel a wave of embarrassment. I look at my phone and pale at the sight of dozens of missed calls and messages. I raise my head and offer him an apologetic look. He smiles, a clear "I told you so."

"How are you all feeling after this morning ?" Ezio asks everyone.

"We can say we got through it thanks to my hero," Andy replies, making eyes at Salva.

"It could have been worse, but I'm looking forward to forgetting it with some alcohol tonight," admits Greta.

Ezio looks at her, puzzled, not recognizing her.

"Sorry, but who are you ?"

"Oh, excuse me, I'm Greta, Angie's colleague. Unfortunately, I was there during her... execution, so your friends kindly offered to bring me here so I wouldn't be alone after the trauma," she says, visibly uncomfortable and destabilized by Ezio's charisma.

She looks at him a bit too intently for my liking, and I decide to break the visual contact.

"Ezio, did you want to talk to me ? Because I need to go get ready."

He locks his gaze with mine, a smirk indicating he's detected my jealousy.

"Yeah, let's go to the bedroom."

He follows me to the bedroom and closes the door behind us. I turn to face him and sit on the bed.

"Go ahead, I'm listening," I say, distant, still a prisoner of my anger.

"Didn't I ask you to stay at Andy's and not take unnecessary risks ?" he asks in a cold tone.

"No, nothing like that. You just dropped me off here and then it was radio silence, even though I admit it's partly my fault since I didn't check my phone. You didn't think I would sit here patiently waiting for you to come back and rescue me from my tower like a knight in shining armor, did you ?"

"Even if I didn't explicitly say it, May, it's understood that if I distance you from me to stay at your friend's place, you're not supposed to go out and risk blowing your cover. I'm doing my best to act quickly on my end, so please try to make an effort on yours and act with some degree of thought. I can't just come back whenever I want because I have a horde of psychopaths following me everywhere; I have to take every precaution to return to you."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself so much next time if it's just to scold me whenever we reunite. I'm doing my best to stay calm; this morning was an unfortunate accident. I just wanted to give Andy a nice day and go shopping without my problems, or rather your problems, resurfacing."

"You're talking like yesterday again: my problems, your problems. Damn it, May, we're married! There's no more me or you, it's us, especially in the mafia! If you can't be my most loyal right hand and support, how can we move forward together? I'm doing everything to support you and give you the tools you need for your revenge, even if it's not my fight and even if it displeases me greatly. I do it for you because I know how important it is. I do it for us. Your problems became mine the day we said yes. You can totally trust me; no matter what happens, I will always be by your side to support you, not to throw stones at you at the first opportunity or act like an impulsive child. This morning, I almost lost you. I know precisely why, and I am aware that I am at fault. I am trying to resolve this as quietly and quickly as possible for our sake. I am responsible, I accept the consequences, and I am sorry you have to bear them too. But unfortunately, the mafia is about trust and loyalty. I fall, you fall—we are a team. And the more we move forward, the more I realize that maybe you weren't ready for this idea."

Without even giving me time to respond, Ezio leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. I'm left feeling alone and foolish. My thirst for revenge and my fear of fanatics had blinded me. I had been so focused on myself that I couldn't see the efforts or actions Ezio was making to protect me. He has always supported me in all my decisions, even the riskiest ones, and at the first opportunity, I let him down, leaving him to act alone while turning against him.

The dazzling presence of Andy entering my room eclipses the shadows of my reflection.

"Whoa, Andy, you look stunning ! An absolute bombshell !"

"Thanks, but why aren't you ready yet ? The guests are arriving soon !"

"Don't worry, I'll get changed now !"

"Enjoy this evening, May, and for a few hours, leave all this behind and let's party !" she says cheerfully, giving my butt a playful slap as I get up.

Once in the bathroom, I get ready. I put on my beautiful dress, which instantly reminds me of Angie. I push that memory out of my mind and finish getting dolled up. Finally, I step out of the room and notice there are already some guests, including Paola, who has also grown closer to Andy over the past few months.

"May ! You look breathtaking tonight! Where's your idiot of a husband ? Leaving you alone in this outfit is a huge mistake, especially with all these predators around."

I laugh and look around for Ezio but spot him with Greta. They're laughing together, and I'm inflamed with jealousy when I see Greta place her hand on my husband's arm. He shifts his attention to me, locking our eyes. His jaw tightens as he's captivated by my appearance, showing a mixture of lust and anger. The perfect cocktail for a wild bedroom session if I weren't so furious with him. I break the eye contact and refocus on Paola.

"Believe me, no one's going to attack me tonight," I say, pointing to my belly. "And what about you ? No prey in sight ?"

"Not for now. It's more complicated for us to know who's attracted to women or not. Especially for me, pretending to the whole world that I'm straight," Paola admits with a wink and a smile.

"May, Paola, my two favorite women !" Andy exclaims, already under the influence of alcohol.

"Don't tell me you're already drunk ?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"No, you're just too sober, and someone had to start the festivities !"

The party is in full swing, the last stragglers have finally arrived, and the apartment is about to burst with all the people in it.

Andy flits from guest to guest, always with a drink in hand and a radiant smile on her lips. She's joyful, happy, and as unfiltered as ever. Seeing her like this, even if the alcohol is partly to blame, reassures me that this morning's incident hasn't marred her party or her spirit. Andy is the kind of person you either love or hate, and seeing her so fulfilled tonight, enjoying herself to the fullest surrounded by all of us who love her, makes me genuinely happy for her. She's like a sister to me, and I want nothing but happiness for her.

Meanwhile, I avoid Ezio. He also drifts from guest to guest, but always with Greta clinging to his arm. I can see it's starting to exasperate him, but he doesn't firmly push her away either. Not wanting to confront him and just wanting to enjoy the evening, I stick with the people who make me laugh and help me forget all this turmoil.

Thus, I stay in the company of Paola and Armando, a singer I befriended at galas who has gradually become a good friend. He's the kind of friend you don't see often, but when you do, it feels like no time has passed.

"So, you've been keeping secrets and didn't invite me to your wedding ?" Armando teases.

"If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't invited either," Paola retorts, sipping her drink.

"It was impromptu and impulsive. Only Andrea and Andy were there as witnesses."

"Yeah, try to make up for it all you want, but you owe me a party, May Torre, and I won't forget that," he replies with a big smile.

We continue to tease and laugh when I feel a hand on the small of my back. No need to turn around; I would recognize that touch anywhere. The warmth of Ezio's hand sends shivers down my spine, causing my heart to race.

"Oh, look who decided to finally join us," Paola greets.

"Sorry, it turns out I know quite a few guests, so it took some time to greet everyone. But I must say, I don't know you," Ezio remarks, eyes fixed on Armando.

"You offend me. I believe you might be the only person in this world who doesn't know who I am. However, the same cannot be said of you; even the dead remember you," Armando quips.

I notice Ezio's eyes narrow slightly, his irritation rising.

"Given your apparent closeness to my wife, I'd appreciate it if you answered my question and told me who you are rather than challenging me."

I sigh, exasperated by their testosterone-fueled standoff, and end their game.

"This is Armando, an old friend who's also in the music industry."

"Hey, watch your words, I'm not that old !"

"So old that I've never heard of you, Armando."

"May knows how to be very secretive when necessary," Armando remarks, his gaze locked on mine as he walks away with Paola.

"What was that supposed to mean ?" Ezio asks through clenched teeth, turning to me.