As they headed toward the car, Iris glanced over her shoulder. She didn't say a word, but a quiet, satisfied chuckle slipped out. Her eyes said everything her lips didn't—I told you he was mine.
Adrian climbed into the car beside her, and the engine hummed as they sped away into the night. Matteo stayed where he was, frozen in place.
As the car pulled away, Iris rested her head against Adrian's shoulder, her posture filled with quiet triumph. But Adrian didn't look at her. He kept turning slightly, trying to catch one last glimpse of Matteo through the rear window until he disappeared into the night.
Only then did he turn away, his face settling back into that hollow, haunted expression.
Matteo remained on the sidewalk for a long moment, the quiet of the street pressing in around him. Finally, he turned and walked back to his car. His bodyguard opened the door without a word, sensing the tension in the air around him.
