When we walked into the place, I felt alone for the first time—even with Leonardo beside me.
Because this time…
the eyes were on me.
I noticed him immediately.
He was powerful.
Like Leonardo.
But unlike him, he wasn't quiet.
When his gaze settled on me, he smiled.
"So you're Elena," he said.
He rolled my name on his tongue.
I didn't like that.
"A woman this beautiful," he continued,
"standing next to a man like Leonardo Moretti…
must have done something to deserve it."
The words fell heavily between us.
I stayed silent.
I didn't defend myself.
I didn't step back.
He reached out.
Not to pull me closer—
but to test boundaries.
That was when Leonardo moved.
He took my hand.
Not roughly.
But with a firmness that left no room for argument.
"There's no need to be that close," he said.
His voice was calm.
But the storm beneath it was unmistakable.
The man smiled.
On purpose.
"I see," he said.
"Leonardo Moretti is still trying to hold himself back."
Leonardo didn't reply.
He pulled out the chair.
"We're leaving."
He did it deliberately.
I knew.
Not to escape
but to keep control.
We didn't speak in the car.
The moment we stepped into the house,
the silence shattered.
"Don't do that again," he said.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Test me," he replied.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
One hand pressed against the wall.
The other stayed in his pocket.
He wasn't holding me—
he was holding himself.
His breath mixed with mine.
Hot.
Sharp.
Uncontrolled.
"If I touch you," he said through clenched teeth,
"I won't stop."
My heart felt like it would break out of my chest.
But I didn't move away.
"Don't," I said.
He closed his eyes.
His jaw tightened.
Then he took a step back.
Turned his face away.
For the first time…
I saw how hard it truly was for Leonardo Moretti to stop.