The designer's visit had been pleasant, but Victoria couldn't help but feel a certain melancholy. Salvatore had made her realize something: she was alone in the world. Although she had her children, there was no one else, apart from him, who genuinely cared for her. And though it sounded strange, that truth hit her hard.

The next morning, she dressed differently. She wore dark clothes, and her hair tied back in a ponytail. When she arrived at the dining room, the children and Salvatore were already waiting for her. She sat down unhurriedly and began to listlessly push her breakfast around.

"Salvatore, I wanted to ask your permission to be...