Chapter 78 THE BIRTHDAY PARTY II
Chapter 78 THE BIRTHDAY PARTY II
Leone led them farther into the ballroom, stopping beside an elegant woman who was speaking with a small group of guests.
"Matteo, Aurora, I'd like you to meet my wife."
The woman turned toward them with a warm smile.
"Clara Russo."
Aurora smiled politely as she approached.
"It's lovely to meet you, Clara."
"The pleasure is mine." Clara leaned in and kissed Aurora lightly on both cheeks. "I've heard so much about you."
"Hopefully only good things."
Clara laughed.
"From Leone? Mostly."
Leone placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be offended.
"Mostly?"
"Don't start."
Matteo chuckled.
"It's nice to finally have you both here." Clara said.
Before anyone could say anything else, Leone glanced toward the other side of the room.
"There's someone else you should meet."
He raised a hand.
"Arabella!"
A young woman turned at the sound of her name.
She excused herself from the people around her and walked toward them.
Aurora's eyes settled on her.
Arabella Russo was twenty-four and stunning.
She had long, dark hair that fell in soft waves down her back, striking features and a confident smile. Her fitted emerald gown complemented her perfectly, and the way she carried herself made it obvious she was used to being noticed.
"There she is," Leone said proudly. "My daughter."
Arabella smiled as she reached them.
"Finally."
Leone laughed.
"Finally?"
"I've been looking for you for the past twenty minutes."
He shook his head before turning to Matteo and Aurora.
"Arabella, you know Matteo Moretti and his wife, Aurora."
"Of course I know them."
Arabella's smile widened as her eyes settled on Matteo.
"It's so good to see you again, Matteo."
Matteo smiled politely.
"Good to see you too, Arabella."
She immediately stepped closer.
"You look even better than the last time I saw you."
Matteo laughed softly.
"Do I?"
"Definitely."
Arabella reached up and adjusted the lapel of his suit.
Matteo didn't think much of it but Aurora did.
Her eyes dropped to Arabella's hand resting against Matteo's chest.
For a second, her expression remained perfectly composed.
Then Arabella slipped her arm through Matteo's.
"Come on, you have to meet some of my friends."
Matteo glanced at Leone.
"I thought you wanted to introduce me to investors."
"I do." Leone laughed. "But apparently my daughter has other plans for you."
Arabella smiled. "I'm borrowing him."
Aurora's fingers curled slightly around the small clutch in her hand.
She kept smiling.
Of course she did.
She wasn't going to make a scene, not here.
Not in front of Leone, his wife, or the dozens of people watching them.
But seeing Arabella clinging to Matteo's arm made something hot twist painfully in her chest.
She looked down at their linked arms again.
Then at Arabella.
Her smile remained in place.
Matteo noticed Aurora's silence and glanced at her.
"Are you alright?"
Aurora immediately looked at him.
"Of course."
Arabella smiled at her.
"You don't mind if I steal your husband for a little while, do you?"
Aurora's smile tightened. "Not at all."
The words came easily.
The lie did too.
"Go ahead."
Arabella beamed and tightened her hold on Matteo's arm.
Aurora watched them walk away.
Her expression remained pleasant until they disappeared into the crowd.
Only then did the smile slowly leave her face.
She took a quiet breath and looked toward Clara.
"Your daughter is very... affectionate."
Clara laughed.
"That's Arabella. She's always been like that."
Aurora forced another smile.
"I can see that."
Across the ballroom, Arabella was still holding onto Matteo's arm, talking animatedly while he listened.
Aurora's eyes followed them.
She could feel the jealousy burning through her, but she refused to let it show.
Five years of marriage had taught her many things.
One of them was how to smile while she was furious.