Chapter 3 - The Broken Glass
By midnight, the last of the high-society guests had departed the Rienzi estate. The grand ballroom was quiet, illuminated only by the dim amber wall sconces and the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the tall arched windows.
Inside Alessandro’s private study on the second floor, the air was heavy with the scent of aged leather and polished mahogany.
Alessandro sat behind his massive oak desk, his black suit jacket discarded over his leather chair, his crisp white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He turned his heavy family signet ring around his finger as he reviewed a stack of encrypted financial reports displayed on his laptop screen.
A soft knock sounded at the heavy oak door before Genevieve stepped into the room.
She had removed her high heels, holding them in one hand, while her sparkling champagne evening gown swished softly against the hardwood floor. Her styled blonde hair was slightly disheveled, but her blue eyes were sharp and wide with subtle tension.
"Alessandro, darling," Genevieve said, her voice dripping with sweet, practiced charm as she glided toward the desk. "You disappeared right after the final toast. I had to say goodbye to Senator Vance and his wife all by myself."
Alessandro didn't look up from his screen immediately. He let a slow, three-second pause fill the room before leaning back in his leather chair.
"The Senator is an important ally," Alessandro said flatly, his rugged face unreadable. "I'm sure you handled him with your usual charm."
Genevieve set her heels on the floor and walked around the desk, placing her delicate hands on his broad shoulders. Her diamond bracelet glinted under the desk lamp. "Is something wrong? You seemed distant on the terrace earlier."
Alessandro reached up, gently taking her wrist and lifting her hand from his shoulder. He held it just firmly enough to let her feel the strength in his grip, his eyes locking onto hers.
"I was thinking about the wedding," Alessandro said quietly. "And how much things will change once the vows are signed."
Genevieve’s breath caught for a fraction of a second—a micro-expression so subtle that only a man like Alessandro would have noticed it. Her smile wavered before she recovered, letting out a soft, melodic laugh.
"Of course things will change," Genevieve purred, leaning down to press a soft kiss against his cheek. "We’ll be a family. You won't have to carry the weight of this empire alone anymore."
Before Alessandro could reply, a sudden, loud crash echoed from the hallway outside the study, followed by the sharp sound of shattering glass.
Genevieve flinched, her sweet demeanor instantly snapping into visible irritation. "What on earth is that?"
Alessandro stood up smoothly, his tall, muscular frame towering over her. He walked to the study door and pulled it open.
Standing in the hallway near a velvet display table was Fatima. A crystal water carafe lay shattered on the floorboards, water pooling around her black flats. Standing beside her, wide-eyed and trembling, was little Amara, clutching her stuffed lamb against her pink floral dress.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Rienzi!" Fatima stammered, her face pale as she immediately dropped to her knees to gather the large crystal shards. "Amara slipped on the rug and bumped my arm. I will replace it immediately!"
Genevieve stepped out of the study, her blue eyes flashing with cold disgust as she looked down at the maid.
"Honestly, Fatima," Genevieve sneered, her voice sharp and icy, completely devoid of the warmth she had shown in the ballroom. "You can't even carry a simple pitcher without destroying antique glassware? You and your daughter are becoming a liability in this house."
Amara shrank back behind her mother, her small fingers digging into Fatima’s apron as she looked up at Genevieve with quiet terror.
Alessandro stepped between Genevieve and the kneeling maid. His towering presence instantly shifted the air in the corridor.
"Fatima," Alessandro said, his deep voice calm and absolute. "Leave the glass. Marcus will clean it up. Take Amara to your quarters."
Fatima looked up, tears of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Rienzi."
Genevieve turned to Alessandro, her jaw tight with arrogant annoyance. "Alessandro, you're far too soft on the staff. She destroyed a three-thousand-dollar antique. If I were running this estate, she would be fired tonight."
Alessandro turned his head slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto Genevieve with a coldness that made her step back half a pace.
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"You are not running this estate yet, Genevieve," Alessandro said softly, every word laced with lethal warning. "And no one in this house is fired without my word."
Genevieve swallowed hard, her fair skin going slightly pale as she realized she had let her mask slip.
