Shadows of the heart
ron barrier between her turbulent past and an uncertain future. As the gates creak
e, luxurious lifestyle, and the shadows that seemed to surround them. Chiara emerged from t
eaceful morning air, yet the grandeur
oo flawless, like a painting come to life. At the entrance she was greeted by Signora Ros
le is expecting you." Chiara nodde
t is an honor
nd then to Mr. Vitale," she added, guid
ittering chandeliers, and beautiful murals on the ceilings. From th
maze of corridors before arriving at
ra Rossi said as she opened the do
Vitale will meet you in
case on the bed and taking a big breath. T
only to support herself, but also to pay off her larg
ges, the numerous hours working late into the night to make end
here, and she was not abou
reshened up. The house was a maze, and s
ling windows. The walls were covered with leather books, and the
nd a big mahogany desk
s fixed on hers. Chiara felt a rush of something"f
ued, his voice deep and ri
told him as she sat down, her
sity. "I know you've got a bad past, but I need to see
special case." Chiara nodde
o provide Sofia the c
. "Very good. Sofia can be guarded. She's reluctant to
understanding. "I'm going to do e
ns. "All right," he murmured, a grin c
show you Sofia's room. You can spend som
ara replied, rising from her
Marco Vitale has a frightening and intriguing presence. She knew this work would be dif
e knocked softly and waited. The door opened, revealing a small girl with bi
tly, crouching to her level. "I am C
, attempting to express warmth and kindness. "I understand that this is new and even in
nd Chiara worried whether she
softening somewhat. "Okay," she whispered. Chiara felt rel
I can't wait to
t her room. Perhaps she might find her
't shake the feeling that this was merely the start of
study window. Something about herâ€"her quiet determination, t
than just another employee. I couldn't afford distractio
he statistics and figures that typically provided him comfort. But his mind kept going back to
d, expecting Signora Rossi. Instead, it was Sofia. She peered arou
for her to enter. She crossed the room ging
she said, just above a w
d, maintaining his neutral ton
o the ground. I do not know yet. B
could finally improve. That is excellent to hear. Give her a chance, okay? She is h
a soft hug. "I love you, Sofia. "
d softly, her voice muf
help but feel a sense of hope. Perhap
ore bedtime. Her bathroom was beautiful, with marble flooring and a huge bathtub tha
g as Chiara stepped out of the sho
er heart beating fur
rted, but the words died in his throat as his eyes traveled over her. For a mi
felt a flush build up her cheek.
came to see whether everything was okay. Iâ€"I'm alright
tensity that her breath caught. Chiara, he muttered,
cannot seem to withstand the magnetic attraction between them. Before sh
wel slips out of her grasp. His touch lit a fire within her, and
ped to exist as they b