Santiago descended the staircase calmly beside her, entirely unaffected by the pressure surrounding his family name, his home, his position. Meanwhile Daniella suddenly became painfully aware of everything—her breathing, her posture, her steps, whether she looked nervous, whether his family would notice. Of course they would notice. People like them noticed everything.
The lower hall slowly came into view beneath the grand staircase. Warm morning light spilled across polished marble floors while the enormous breakfast area beyond remained alive with quiet conversation and movement.
Then someone looked up first. Luciano. A slow grin immediately spread across his face the moment he saw them descending together—specifically, the moment he noticed Santiago holding Daniella's hand. That grin alone made Daniella instantly suspicious.
Beside him, Thiago followed Luciano's gaze upward, then blinked twice. "...Oh my God."
