I stepped closer before I could second-guess myself.
His expression shifted immediately.
“In all honesty, I don’t think my marriage to Rafael will continue to remain secret,” I said quickly, pushing through before he could interrupt.
I steadied myself. “And if anything, it shouldn’t have been hidden in the first place.”
“It’s a union between an Italian—me—and a Spaniard, Rafael,” I said, holding my ground. “It shouldn’t be sparking a war. If anything, it should be bridging the divide between both sides.”
A breath.
“I need to tell Vincenzo I’m married to Rafael—and that he needs to step in. He has to talk to the Italian rebels here, make them see reason before blood is spilled.”
Ramiro shook his head once, regret already softening his features.
“I cannot act on my own authority, Loretta,” he said firmly. “You must speak to Rafael first. If he approves, I will arrange the flight immediately.”
His tone lowered slightly.
“Otherwise, I strongly advise you to keep your routine predictable and limited.”
He glanced at his watch.
“I must leave now. Stay safe.”
And just like Rafael earlier—
he turned and walked away.
The sound of his footsteps faded quickly, leaving me standing alone in the center of the vast living room.
The space felt different now.
I slowly exhaled, my gaze drifting toward the corridor Rafael had disappeared into.
Everything inside me felt stretched thin.
A thought surfaced suddenly—small at first, then sharpening into something usable.
My old phone number.
The Italian line.
Vincenzo still knew it. He had always relied on it, even after I changed everything else. It was one of the few threads I had never completely severed, even unintentionally. If I reactivated it...
Maybe he would reach out first.
Maybe I wouldn’t need to chase him into the chaos directly.
I didn’t waste time second-guessing it.
I pulled out my phone immediately and called Ramiro.
He answered almost instantly.
“Yes, Loretta?”
“I need your help with something urgent,” I said, pacing slightly as I spoke. “Can you retrieve and reactivate my old phone line? The number I used before everything changed. I’ll text you the details right now.”
