The welcome dinner was held in a private glass dining hall carved into the mountainside, the entire wall behind the table opening to a sweeping view of the dark forest valley below. Soft amber chandeliers cast warm light over polished stone floors and long tables dressed in deep cream linen and muted gold cutlery. The air carried quiet conversations, low laughter, and that subtle, controlled tension that always appeared when powerful families gathered in one place.
Bella sat beside Leo, her hand resting lightly around his arm under the table. She could feel the rigid set of his shoulders, the careful stillness of his jaw.
"Leo," she whispered, her lips barely moving. "At least smile a little."
His jaw shifted almost imperceptibly. He did not smile. Not even a little.
Around the table sat people.
Alessandro and Lina sat across from them, composed and watchful, their expressions unreadable. Beside Lina sat Nonna.
