THE living room was calm now, quiet except for the faint ticking of the ornate wall clock. The curtains rustled gently as the night breeze slipped through the open balcony door. A lingering scent of Orlanda’s perfume still hung in the air, subtle but warm.

As soon as Vincenzo breezed in, Oswald frowned and left the door side, leaving him and the door open.

Vincenzo stepped in casually, then froze, his eyes narrowing as he processed what he had just seen from the hallway. Orlanda was stepping out, and Oswald, he was standing by the door... holding it open for her like a gentleman. No, like a man with feelings....