Days passed, and Victoria still hadn’t found a way to escape Salvatore; Axel’s plan seemed her only hope. Although Paulina frequented the Mancini mansion under the pretext of discussing business with Salvatore and catching his attention, Victoria had not managed to make contact with her.

One day, while Victoria was sitting reading her book, the mansion’s doorbell rang. One of the men, recognizing who it was, opened the door. The amber-scented perfume Victoria already knew flooded her nostrils, igniting a spark of hope inside her.

Paulina arrived for the second time that week. That afternoon, she looked spectacular, wearing a short dress with a plunging neckline that left little to...