In his eyes, I was the woman who had schemed her way into Dante's life, the orphan ward who had "tricked" the heir into a blood-bound union. That belief had taken root long ago, and no matter what I did, it had never changed.
So I stopped trying.
The painting was large, its silk surface catching the light as Liliana carefully held it up. She adjusted her position slightly, then stepped back, wanting Don Salvatore to take in the full view.
I noticed the movement and instinctively shifted to the side, trying to give her space.
But she moved faster.
Too fast.
Her shoulder collided directly into me.
There was no time to react.
With a startled cry, she stumbled backward, her balance completely lost. The next second, she fell down the stone steps of the estate entrance, the painting slipping from her grasp and tumbling with her.
The delicate silk tore the moment it hit the ground.
Right down the middle.
The sound was sharp. Final.
Two soldiers near the entrance stiffened but didn't move. No one moved without the Family's word.
Dante reacted instantly.
"Lily!" he shouted, rushing forward without hesitation.