The Valentino family rarely gathered for dinner.
But when they did, it usually meant one thing.
Someone had something important to say.
Luca sat quietly at the long dining table in his parents' home while his older sister chatted with her husband.
Across the table, Valeria Valentino leaned back in her chair, casually observing the room.
She was never the type to talk too much during family gatherings.
She preferred to watch.
And tonight, she was watching Luca.
Their mother placed a glass of wine in front of him before sitting down.
"You've been working too much again," she said.
Luca shrugged slightly.
"The company doesn't run itself."
"That's not the point," his mother replied.
His married sister smiled teasingly.
"What she means is… you're the only one here who hasn't brought someone special to dinner."
Luca sighed.
"We've had this conversation before."
"Yes," his mother said calmly. "And we'll keep having it until something changes."
Valeria smirked slightly but said nothing.
Their mother leaned forward.
"Next time we have dinner like this," she said firmly, "bring a woman."
Luca looked at her.
"You're serious."
"Very."
The room filled with quiet laughter.
---
Two weeks later.
Hazel stood nervously outside the large Valentino estate.
The house looked more like a private palace than a home.
She adjusted the sleeve of her dress.
"Relax," Luca said beside her.
"That's easy for you to say."
"You're just meeting my family."
Hazel looked at him.
"That's exactly the problem."
Luca gave a small smile.
"Trust me. They'll like you."
Hazel wasn't so sure.
Ever since she and Luca had started spending more time together, things had moved faster than she expected.
She had tried to resist him at first.
But Luca had been patient.
Respectful.
Nothing like the fears she had built in her mind.
Slowly, she had begun to trust him.
Still… meeting his family felt like a completely different level.
Luca gently took her hand.
"Ready?"
Hazel took a deep breath.
"Yes."
---
Inside the house, the Valentino family was already gathered.
When Luca and Hazel entered the dining room, all eyes turned toward them.
For a moment, the room went silent.
Hazel felt her nerves rising.
Then Luca's mother stood up with a warm smile.
"So this is the woman we've been waiting to meet."
Hazel quickly greeted everyone politely.
To her surprise, the atmosphere quickly became relaxed.
Luca's mother loved her manners.
His older sister admired her work in fashion design.
Even Luca's brother-in-law joked with her easily.
Hazel slowly began to relax.
But across the table…
Valeria Valentino was watching her.
Carefully.
Quietly.
Hazel noticed the woman's sharp gaze and gave a polite smile.
Valeria returned the smile calmly.
But inside her mind, something had already shifted.
She had seen this face before.
Years ago.
In a crowded auditorium.
A night filled with confusion and tension.
Valeria leaned slightly back in her chair.
Interesting.
She said nothing.
Not a single word.
Instead, she simply observed the interaction between Hazel and Luca.
The way Hazel spoke.
The way she carried herself.
The quiet sincerity in her behavior.
And Valeria realized something important.
The girl her brother had brought home…
was the same girl from that night.
But Hazel clearly had no idea.
So Valeria did what she always did best.
She kept the truth to herself.
For now.
---
Meanwhile, far from the Valentino estate…
Abi Hart stood on the balcony of a luxury hotel overlooking the ocean in Cape Town.
The waves crashed softly against the shore as she checked her phone.
Another message from Hazel.
Abi typed a quick reply.
Sorry, I've been really busy here. I'll call you later.
But she never called.
Her mind was focused on something else.
Her next opportunity in the modeling world.
And the dangerous contract she had already signed.
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