Victoria couldn't take her eyes off Salvatore. His confession left her paralyzed, completely unsettling everything she thought she knew.

It was difficult to grasp that the most ruthless and indolent man she had ever known had just opened his heart to her with such honesty. His words, though unexpected, were sincere. His love, incredibly, seemed pure and real.

She wanted to respond, to reciprocate somehow, but she struggled to find the words. He caressed her cheek tenderly, and she did the same, touching his face before kissing him. There was no need to speak. In that kiss, she conveyed what she felt, even if it meant betraying herself, her ideals,...