"Because I have to." Isabella looked at the vial. "Because I've spent fourteen years preparing to be his wife. Because my family expects me to secure this alliance. Because I don't know who I am if I'm not the woman who marries Dimitri Valentino."
Catarina studied her for a long moment. "Then I hope you find what you're looking for tomorrow night."
She left.
Isabella stood alone with the vial, her reflection staring back at her from the window.
Tomorrow night.
The Castellano Gala.
Her last chance to change everything.
Or lose everything trying.
Isabella spent the rest of the morning planning.
She pulled up photos of the Grand Belmont Hotel ballroom, the layout, the bar locations, the table arrangements.
Dimitri and Eve would be at Table 12. Front and center. The kind of placement reserved for major donors and VIPs.
Isabella's table was across the room. Table 47. Still respectable, but clearly not inner circle.
