Chapter 107

Isabella

The morning air was sweet with jasmine and the soft, clean scent of rain when Aria stepped out of the car. From the upstairs window, I watched her, my breath catching in my throat. She moved like a shadow, graceful but sharp, each step careful, like she was testing the earth for traps. She was smaller than I had imagined from Alessandro’s faded photos, her frame slight but taut, yet her shoulders were squared, her chin high, carrying a strength forged in hell, yet wrapped in quiet grace.

Downstairs, Alessandro was already bolting for the front door, moving faster than I had ever seen, like his heart would stop if he didn’t reach her in time. When he flung the door open, a sound tore from him, half laugh, half sob, raw and unguarded, a burst of joy so pure it made my chest ache with warmth.

“Aria,” he whispered, his voice breaking, and then they collided, arms wrapping tight, clinging like they’d dissolve if they let go. Tears streamed down their fac