---
Kara's POV
Kara paced the length of her room, still wearing the burgundy gown that felt more suffocating than elegant now. The party was finally over, and the villa had settled into an uneasy quiet, but her mind raced with unanswered questions.
Clara wasn't just some ex. She was something else-someone who had the power to unsettle Alessandro in a way Kara hadn't seen before.
And Kara hated how much that bothered her.
She was startled by a knock at the door. Before she could answer, Alessandro stepped inside, his usual confidence dimmed by something heavier.
"You could at least wait for me to say 'come in,'" she said sharply, folding her arms.
"I didn't think you'd mind," he replied, his tone equally sharp.
She raised an eyebrow. "Something you want?"
"Let's talk," he said, shutting the door behind him.
"Oh, now you want to talk?" Kara crossed her arms, her irritation bubbling to the surface. "What happened to 'drop it, Kara'?"
Alessandro sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "I wasn't trying to shut you out. Clara... she's complicated."
Kara's lips twitched in a bitter smile. "Complicated. That's one way to put it."
"She's not a threat," he added, his voice firm.
"Really?" Kara challenged. "Because the way she looked at you-and the way you looked at her-makes me think otherwise."
Alessandro stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You're making this bigger than it is."
"Am I?" she shot back. "Because I've spent the entire night pretending to be your fiancée while your ex or whatever she is makes veiled threats. Forgive me if I'm not thrilled about being left in the dark."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, Kara thought he wouldn't answer. But then he exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging.
"Clara and I were together years ago," he admitted. "It ended badly-she wanted more from me than I could give. I didn't love her, and she didn't take it well. Tonight, she showed up to remind me of that."
Kara searched his face, trying to gauge the truth in his words. There was something he wasn't saying, but she didn't push. Not yet.
"So what happens now?" she asked, her voice softer.
"Now," Alessandro said, his eyes meeting hers, "we keep going. Clara won't interfere."
Kara wanted to believe him, but a nagging voice in her head whispered otherwise.
---
Alessandro's POV
Alessandro left Kara's room feeling like he'd just walked through a minefield. He hadn't lied to her, but he hadn't told her the full truth either.
Clara's reappearance wasn't just a nuisance-it was a threat. She'd always been ambitious, and her insinuations tonight suggested she had plans to use their fake engagement against him.
But what unsettled him even more was how much Kara's opinion mattered. Seeing her hurt, questioning him-it was worse than he expected.
This isn't real, he reminded himself. She's not yours to protect.
Yet the thought didn't sit right.
---
The Next Morning: Kara's POV
Kara woke to the smell of coffee wafting through the villa. She hesitated for a moment before heading downstairs, still clad in a loose sweater and leggings.
She found Alessandro in the kitchen, looking far too put-together for someone who had likely slept less than she had.
"Morning," he said, glancing up from his phone.
"Morning," she replied warily.
"I thought we'd take the day off," he said, setting his phone down. "No meetings, no parties. Just you and me."
Kara blinked. "You and me... doing what, exactly?"
"Exploring." He smirked. "You've been cooped up in this villa since you arrived. It's time you saw Tuscany."
Kara hesitated. This sudden change in attitude felt suspicious, but she couldn't deny she was curious.
"Fine," she said finally. "But if this is some kind of scheme, I'm leaving you stranded in the countryside."
He laughed, the sound surprisingly genuine. "Deal."
---
Exploring Tuscany: Both POVs
The drive through the rolling hills of Tuscany was breathtaking. Kara found herself relaxing despite her earlier reservations. Alessandro was a surprisingly good tour guide, pointing out landmarks and sharing snippets of history she hadn't read in her books.
Their first stop was a small vineyard nestled in the hills. Kara was enchanted by the rustic charm of the place-the weathered stone buildings, the rows of grapevines stretching into the horizon.
Over a shared bottle of wine, they began to talk-not about Clara, or the engagement, but about themselves.
"I've always loved this place," Alessandro admitted, gazing out at the vineyard. "It's one of the few places where I feel... free."
"Free from what?" Kara asked, genuinely curious.
"Expectations," he said simply.
Kara frowned. "You're Alessandro De Luca. Isn't that what you live for?"
He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "That's what everyone thinks."
For a moment, Kara saw past the polished façade-the man who carried the weight of an empire on his shoulders.
And for the first time, she wondered if there was more to him than she'd realized.
---
Later That Evening
Back at the villa, Kara found herself replaying the day's events in her mind. Alessandro had been different today-open, almost vulnerable. It was disarming, and she hated how much it affected her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door.
When she opened it, Alessandro stood there, his expression unreadable.
"I need to ask you something," he said.
"What is it?" she asked warily.
"If Clara comes back-and she will-promise me you won't believe anything she says."
Kara frowned. "Why would I?"
"Because she'll try to turn you against me," he said, his voice low. "And I can't let that happen."
The intensity in his gaze made her heart skip a beat.
"I promise," she said quietly, though she wasn't entirely sure why.
As he left, Kara couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the edge of something-something neither of them was ready to face.
---
End of Chapter Seven