THE DE LUCA BARGAIN 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 31 - 챕터 38

LORENZO'S POVThe drive away from my grandfather's estate was painfully quiet.The convoy moved ahead of us while another SUV followed behind.Inside the car, it was silent.Isabella sat beside me, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she stared out the passenger window.She hadn't spoken since we left, nor had I.I kept my eyes on the road, but my mind refused to leave the events at Grandfather's house.The image of Bianca standing over Isabella.The look on Isabella's face.The fact that she had walked straight into a room where she had no idea who might be waiting for her.The tighter I gripped the steering wheel, the harder it became to ignore the anger building inside me.Finally....... It snapped."What the hell were you thinking?"She turned sharply to look at me."What?""What were you thinking?" Her brows knitted together."This is because I left the estate?""No," The word came out louder than I intended.She frowned."Then what is this about?"I let out a short, humorless

LORENZO'S POVThe estate had been quiet that afternoon.I sat alone in my study, reviewing a stack of contracts that had somehow doubled overnight.Numbers usually settled my mind, but today they refused to, my thoughts drifted back to the museum and Isabella.The outing I'd reluctantly approved, but a knock sounded against the door interrupted me."Come in."Damiano stepped inside carrying a slim black folder."The security report from today's outing," he said,I didn't look up immediately."Anything unusual?" I asked him."Nothing" then he paused."Standard route, standard timing. Mrs. De Luca and Mrs. Vittoria returned safely." I nodded."Good."He placed the folder on my desk, before he continued."The detail also included photographs."I reached for the folder almost absentmindedly.They photographed every outing, entry points, exit points, crowd, and anyone who approached.It was just standard routine, until it wasn't.I absent-mindedly flipped through the pictures hurriedly so

ISABELLA'S POVI lay on the bed hoping to doze off but sleep refused to come.I had spent the better part of an hour staring at the ceiling, replaying my day at the museum and the strange feeling that had followed me home.Eventually, I got tired and gave up.Wrapping a light robe around myself, I slipped quietly out of my bedroom.The mansion was almost silent.Only the grandfather clock in the hallway marked the passing of time.I thought perhaps a cup of tea would help.As I descended the staircase, a faint glow coming from the sitting room caught my attention. The lamp beside the sofa was still on, curious, I stepped closer.I was shocked when I saw Lorenzo lying on the couch, and he was asleep.One arm rested over his eyes while the other hung loosely over the edge of the sofa.His tie had long since disappeared, the top buttons of his shirt were undone, and his sleeves were rolled to his forearms.The whiskey remained half-finished beside him. An expensive cigar rested forgotte

ISABELLA'S POVThree days had passed since the kiss, three painfully awkward days.Lorenzo had buried himself in work, while I had buried myself in books, hoping to forget everything but neither strategy had worked.Every accidental glance lingered a second too long. Every shared meal ended in uncomfortable silence. Somehow, speaking had become harder than it had ever been before.A knock sounded on my bedroom door."Come in."Maria stepped inside with her usual warm smile, the maid assigned to me. "Mr. De Luca would like to see you in his study."My heart skipped for a second."Did he say why?" I asked, hoping she knew something, but she shook her head."No, Mrs. De Luca." I sighed, "I'll be there shortly."She inclined her head and quietly left.I stood before my mirror for several seconds, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my blouse.It was ridiculous, I had faced gunfire, Kidnapping, and death. Yet walking into Lorenzo's study suddenly felt far more intimidating.His study do