Chapter 8: Unspoken Past

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Alessandra sat in the grand living room, her mind lost in thought. The unplanned dinner with Mia had been a pleasant surprise, a break from her usual routine. She was about to retire to her room when her phone rang, breaking her reverie. The caller ID displayed a name that made her heart skip a beat - Emily.

As Alessandra answered the call, Mia, who was clearing the dinner table, couldn't help but overhear the conversation. The name Emily sounded familiar. She had heard it before when Alessandra was talking to her brother. Alessandra's voice was cold, her words curt. The conversation ended abruptly, leaving a tense silence in its wake.

The rest of the evening passed in silence. Both women retreated to their rooms, their minds filled with thoughts left unspoken.

The next morning, Monica, Alessandra's assistant, was waiting for Mia in the living room. "Alessandra asked me to take you shopping again," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "She thinks you might be bored at the man