Chapter 83. Now or Never

Margherita woke to quiet.

Soft light filtered through the curtains, pale and cold against the sheets. The space beside her was empty—the duvet smoothed, the faint warmth long faded.

Ezio was gone.

For a moment she lay still, staring at the hollow in the pillow. Guilt pressed hard against her sternum.

He had held her the whole night. He had kissed her hair, soothed her shaking, stayed because she asked.

And now she was going to betray him.

She pushed herself upright, swallowing against the ache in her throat.

No tears—she couldn’t afford that.

Not today.

She forced her breathing steady, washed her face, and left her room.

Rosa was already at the stove, her back to the door, humming softly as she plated scrambled eggs. The smell of coffee warmed the otherwise cold apartment.

Margherita slipped beside her wordlessly and began setting the table.

Rosa cast her a knowing, gentle glance. “Buongiorno, tesoro. How are yo