Davide's fate was already sealed. He just didn't know it yet.
When I arrived at the Academy with Emilia, the first person I saw was Luna Caruso, standing outside the wrought-iron gates like she owned the ground beneath her feet.
She was surrounded by other parents from the class. Women in cashmere and pearls, clustered around her like courtiers around a queen. Their voices carried across the courtyard, bright and performative in the late afternoon air.
"Luna, you're so low-key! If it weren't for all this, we wouldn't have known your husband runs the Valente territory downtown."
"Exactly! No wonder I thought you had such a refined aura the moment I saw you. That kind of grace only comes with real Family money."
"We're all here to support you today. We're proper mothers, and we can't let some low-class homewrecker push you around."
"Right! What good could come from a homewrecker's daughter? Massimo is truly the heir of the Valente name. Standing up for his family at such a young age!"
Even the teacher had positioned herself at Luna's elbow, her posture deferential, her smile too wide.