Bella's POV
The sleek black car sat in the restaurant parking lot like a predator waiting for prey. My heart hammered against my ribs as I recognized the expensive vehicle that had become all too familiar in recent days. Silas's car.
I slowed my pace, gripping my purse tighter. Every instinct screamed at me to turn around, slip through the back entrance, pretend I hadn't noticed. But my legs kept moving forward on autopilot. Work demanded my attention. My staff needed me focused. I refused to give him the pleasure of seeing me retreat.
My phone vibrated against my palm. Before I could decide whether to ignore it, his voice sliced through the morning air.
"Miss Rossi."
Those two words froze me in place. Heat flooded my cheeks and neck. I forced myself to keep walking, my heels striking the pavement in what I hoped sounded like confident steps rather than the frantic rhythm of my pulse.
