"Maybe. Or maybe they'd respect it. Strength. Independence. Proving we don't need Dimitri's shadow." He paused. "Besides, what's the alternative? Spend the rest of our lives watching the people we love be happy with other people? Following orders from fathers who see us as tools instead of children?"
Isabella was quiet for a long time.
"You're serious about this," she said finally.
"Dead serious."
"And what about...." She gestured between them. "This. Us. What would we be?"
"Partners," Enzo said simply. "Allies. Friends, maybe, if we're lucky. I'm not asking for your love, Isabella. I know that belongs to someone else. I'm just asking for a chance to build something that's ours. Something we choose."
She studied his face, searching for deception, for weakness.
She wouldn't find any.
For the first time in his life, Enzo knew exactly what he wanted.
Not Dimitri's approval. Not Antonio's pride. Not even Isabella's love.
Just freedom.
