Chapter 66

• I shook my head, attempting to divert my focus from the tension still humming between us. I adjusted the dress that suddenly felt tighter than ever and followed Dante towards the balcony. The outdoor setting was an extension of the opulence of the suite, overlooking the illuminated monuments of Rome.
• We sat at the elegantly set table prepared by Chiara, but the silence persisted, heavy and laden with unspoken implications. Dante was more reserved, as if the brief moment of closeness had awakened a cautious awareness in him.
• As Chiara served the first course, I struggled to maintain a neutral expression, but the tension didn't completely dissipate. Dante broke the silence, trying to recreate an atmosphere of normalcy.