Chapter 9
Isabella heard about that from Katarina.
She pretended it did not affect her.
It did.
Six months after the necklace disappeared, Isabella attended the reopening of the Moretti Foundation Gallery.
She had helped restore two paintings legitimately this time.
The room was crowded.
She saw Dante across the gallery.
He stopped walking.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then he approached.
“You came.”
“I advised on the exhibit.”
“Of course.”
His mouth almost smiled.
She looked at him.
“You look nervous.”
“I am.”
“That’s new.”
“You have that effect on me now.”
She laughed despite herself.
Then Dante became serious.
“I have something that belongs to you.”
He reached into his jacket.
Isabella’s heartbeat jumped.
But what he removed was not the ring.
It was the internal verification request she had filed the day Carlo framed her.
He had placed it inside a simple black frame.
At the bottom was a brass plate.
ISABELLA ROMANO
THE PERSON WHO ASKED THE QUESTION EVERYONE ELSE MISSED
She stared at it.
“Dante.”
“The gallery board voted unanimously.”
“You put my name on the wall?”
“You earned it.”
She looked toward Sophia.
Sophia lifted her champagne glass.
Katarina grinned.
Even Marco smiled.
Isabella looked back at Dante.
“And the ring?”
His expression changed.
“Still in the safe.”
“You didn’t bring it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He held her gaze.
“Because if you ever wear my ring again, Isabella, I want it to be because you chose me after knowing exactly who I am.”
Her throat tightened.
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I spend the rest of my life being grateful I had you once.”
She stared at him for a long moment.
Then reached into her handbag.
Dante froze.
Isabella removed a small velvet box.
His eyes widened.
“I took it from your safe this afternoon.”
For once, Dante Moretti looked completely speechless.
“Marco let you into my safe?”
“Marco likes me better.”
From across the room, Marco called, “Correct.”
Katarina burst out laughing.
Dante ignored them.
His eyes stayed on Isabella.
She opened the box.
The diamond waited inside.
“I’m not putting it on tonight.”
Dante nodded immediately.
“Okay.”
“And I’m not moving back in.”
“Okay.”
“And if your aunt ever accuses me of stealing again, I’m stealing her Mercedes.”
Sophia called from across the room, “Take the silver one. I hate it.”
Isabella laughed.
Then she looked at Dante.
“I’m not promising marriage.”
“I know.”