The echo of Mirella Bellandi’s heels rang through the corridor, sharp and furious. The high walls, lined with portraits of ancestors who seemed to watch her with silent judgment, reflected the dim glow of crystal chandeliers, casting long shadows that slithered along the marble floor like ghosts in her wake. Her posture was graceful, but her eyes burned with worry and rage.

As she turned a corner, she came face to face with Fabio. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his silhouette et