"SignorMassimo was sonicein those days," Cattleya couldn't help reminiscing with a shake of her head. "It was very creepy, to be honest."

Ysabel had to fight back a smile. Massimo being nice might be creepy to Cattleya, but to her, the idea was kinda...cute.

"You stole his heart that night, Ysabel. It was very clear to us all when he first told us about you. But then we also noticed, when he finally met Ynez, he also gradually changed. It did not make sense to us then, but now that Cattleya and I are aware of what happened..." Potenziana released a pained sigh. "I believe Massimo was heartbroken when Ynez did not match his expectations from that night, but he was too proud to admit this."

Ysabel started gnawing on her lip again. What if she ended up disappointing Massimo, too?

"You do not seem confident about your chances," the Marchetti matriarch observed.

"I'm just worried he has this image of me from that night that's unrealistic."

"Let us say it is so—-does that mean you will turn this chance down to be married to him? Because you do have that choice,signorina.I will allow you to back out of this wedding without any consequences. You have my word on this. If you choose to say no, it shall be so. But if you choose to say yes, I must also warn you that it will not be easy winning Massimo back. It will be difficult and painful even, but not impossible."

Ysabel could barely hear her thoughts over the thunderous pounding of her heart. To marry Massimo was her dream, but it would also mean hurting Ynez. Her sister might have hurt her first, but was that reason enough to hurt Ynez as well?

"What is it to be, Ysabel? Do you wish to marry my grandson or not?"










Five

What the hell happened?

Massimo found himself brooding while waiting for his grandmother to return hisfidanzatato his side. While he could now admit to himself that his feelings for Ynez were not what he thought them to be, he had not been attracted to any other woman in all the past years either. No one had tempted him even the slightest bit to stray...until now.

Porca miseria.

He could only imagine Ynez's distress once she found out that he had kissed her sister within minutes of being in her company. He could point out that she had done something worse, of course, but he would not do so.

Her mistake did not negate his own dishonor.

He had kissed Ysabel because he desired her.

Even with everything he knew of her—-he had wanted Ysabel.

Still wanted her even, and it was this he did not understand at all.

Hai perso la testa, Massimo? Have you lost your mind?